Abbott 'optimistic' over targets

Abbott has confirmed defender Josh Gowling still could have a future

Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott says he is "optimistic" over his summer transfer targets.

Abbott has made the addition of an attacking midfielder and left winger his priority during the closed season.

"We've got three players identified," he told BBC Radio Cumbria. "They're good players and there'll be a lot of interest in them.

"Certainly a couple of midfield players have been identified and we're optimistic," he added.

Abbott confirmed that two of his targets are currently playing in Scotland.

I would rather that message had come from Josh himself so we could talk face-to-face to see where we stand

Greg Abbott on Josh Gowling's desire for talks

"There's a couple of real live targets in Scotland," he said. "We are looking."

The Carlisle boss also confirmed that former Queen of the South striker Stephen Dobbie was a target before his switch this week to Championship side Swansea City.

"He's been on our radar for about 12 months," he said. "But it was always going to be difficult to attract him once he started to score the goals he did."

Abbott has also revealed that he has given his out-of-contract players one month to accept a new deal with the club.

The Cumbrians have offered new two-year deals to Danny Graham, David Raven, Tony Kane and Ian Harte along with Workington goalkeeper Adam Collin while former York midfielder Gavin Rothery has been handed a one-year deal.

"To be fair to the players and to us, we need to know where we stand," he said.

"We said from last week that we've given them a month to make a decision either way. You wouldn't probably expect them to go away and come back the next day and do it... so we'll give them a bit of time to look at their options."

The Cumbrians are still interested in signing striker Michael Bridges who spent the season on loan from Hull City.

"He's still contracted to Hull and I'm sure his agent is still looking at all the enquiries that have come in," Abbott said. "Then Michael will have a look at everything on the table and we'll see where we stand in that order."

606: DEBATE

To me, the re-signing of Michael Bridges is crucial to the aspirations and well-being of the club

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The Carlisle boss has also confirmed that he will open talks with defender Josh Gowling over his future in the next few days.

Gowling, who joined the Cumbrians last summer form Bournemouth, did not figure in Abbott's first-team plans but could still have a future at the club.

"I had a second-hand message (to ask) what is his situation is likely to be," he said. "I would rather that message had come from Josh himself so we could talk face-to-face to see where we stand.

"The next plan with Josh is to meet him and see where his plans are. Of course (he may have a future). He's one of our players, everyone has a role to play."

Abbott also said that he expects his club to challenge for promotion next season season despite only avoiding relegation to League Two by a point.

"We're having a right go next year, I'm telling you," he said. "I can't wait now and the players have got to share that hunger."