Abbott says the search for a new striker will continue

Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott has suffered further set-backs in his attempts to add a striker to his squad ahead of the new season.

Following Karl Hawley's decision to join Notts County, Abbott has now lost out on another forward - believed to be Sunderland's Martyn Waghorn.

"I'm massively disappointed." he said. "At the moment we're still looking."

"I'm not going to set any time-scales now because it is building people's hopes up."

Abbott revealed that he had been in talks with former Cumbrians' forward Hawley about a possible return to Brunton Park.

"He's a player that we have monitored through the summer and asked about his availability." he said. "When we found out there was a possibility that we could do something we decided to take it a few steps further."

"Unfortunately, it (came) to a halt because of the interest from Notts County." he added.

Hawley, 27, scored 47 goals in 118 appearances during a two-year spell at Brunton Park. He completed his move to Notts County earlier this week.

It was a target we have been keeping warm all summer but now he is going to a Championship club Carlisle boss Greg Abbott

Abbott would not confirm that Waghorn was his latest target but the 19-year-old is widely believed to have turned a move to Carlisle down at the last minute in favour of a season-long loan at Championship newcomers Leicester City.

"It was a target we have been keeping warm all summer but now he is going to a Championship club." Abbott said.

"I want to assure supporters we are working hard at this situation and the fact that we are in the current position is not for the want of trying."

The Cumbrians will find out on Thursday how much they will receive from Watford for striker Danny Graham.

The initial date set for a tribunal was postponed at the request of Watford as it clashed with a pre-arranged friendly.

The Hornets initially tabled a £25,000 offer at the beginning of July which was immediately rejected. The club had previously rejected a £250,000 bid from Huddersfield Town.

"We just want the best possible deal to look after this football club." Abbott said.

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