Abbott has made a striker his number one priority this summer

Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott says he is hopeful of making a new addition to his squad "by the end of next week".

"There's been progress made," he told BBC Radio Cumbria. "Talks have been ongoing for three to four weeks and we're very close.

"The player has given us a big indication that he's going to come."

The Cumbrians have signed defender Ian Harte and goalkeeper Adam Collin on permanent deals so far this summer.

Abbott is keeping the identity of his target under wraps until a deal is completed.

There have been enquiries in for a couple of players and there are enquiries to other clubs about a lot of players Greg Abbott

"We'll hopefully have something to announce next week but, until it is signed and sealed, we're loathed to give names out just in case someone hijacks it," he said.

"But it's one that looks like it's going to be done which will be great for us. It's one we needed to do."

Abbott has identified a number of targets he would like to bring during the summer.

"Other things are warming up as well," he said. "There have been enquiries in for a couple of players and there are enquiries to other clubs about a lot of players.

"We are trying to keep as many warm and keep as many options as we can open... what you have got to try to do is make sure that you do get the right players and sometimes you have got to be patient.

"You have got to play a bit of a waiting game. The real movement hasn't started yet but I would anticipate that that will start picking up in the last week of June."

Abbott has made a new striker his number one priority following Danny Graham's decision to turn down a new offer at Brunton Park.

The Cumbrians' boss recently revealed he had a list of "eight or nine" possible targets to replace last season's top scorer.

"We want to get the right player, one that we think is going to make a big impact straight away," he concluded.

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