Abbott fears over big club loans

Abbott is continuing talks with his out-of-contract players

Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott believes Newcastle and Middlesbrough's relegation from the Premier League will also be bad news for his club.

Abbott said it will now be harder to pick up young players from both clubs now they are in the Championship.

"It doesn't do us any favours," Abbott told BBC Radio Cumbria. "There's a lot of players we have an interest in.

"They might decide the players they were going to release might actually be good players for the Championship."

The Cumbrians were able to bring in goalkeeper Tim Krul on loan from Newcastle last season while left-back Michael Liddle spent a three-month spell at Brunton Park from Sunderland.

Abbott also believes the immediate future of out-of-contract striker Danny Graham should become clearer this week.

The players have got until June 5th to tell us whether they will take advantage of the offer or look elsewhere

Greg Abbott

"We're waiting for Danny to give us an indication of what he's going to do by Wednesday at the latest," Abbott said.

"I'd like to know quickly so we can move on. If Danny says 'yes', then it's all worked towards getting him his 20 or 25 goals for us next season.

"He's had a tremendous offer from the football club. There must be interest in him because he hasn't come back straight away and said 'yes'."

Abbott also confirmed that talks with his other out-of-contract players are continuing.

The Cumbrians have offered deals to Tony Kane, Adam Collin and David Raven.

"It's a patience thing at the moment," he said. "The players have got until 5 June to tell us whether they will take advantage of the offer or look elsewhere.

"It's a bit of a stalling game at the moment, but we've just got to be patient."

Meanwhile former Leeds United, York City and Harrogate Town midfielder Gavin Rothery has signed a one-year-deal with the club.

Rothery, 19, made his Carlisle debut in the Easter Bank Holiday Monday defeat at Huddersfield Town, having joined the club on a trial basis during the January transfer window.

He began his career with Leeds United before joining York last season. He joined Blue Square North side Harrogate Town in December 2008 following his release by the Minstermen.

Abbott said: "Gavin is a young man who has had his setbacks in the game but he has shown a real determination to put that behind him.

"He wants to make this work and we would hope to see him continue to improve and start to push the players in the first team as the season goes on.

"He has the energy and the commitment that we want to see and he also has the ability so we're looking forward to working with him when the new season kicks off."

Abbott also confirmed that the club are organising pre-season friendlies against Hull City, Middlesbrough, Blackpool and Workington Reds this summer.

The Cumbrians are also hoping to add a meeting with Newcastle United to their Brunton Park itinerary in early August.