Abbott cool on further additions

Offiong is a former England Under-20 international

Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott has played down the chances of further additions to his squad after the signing of striker Richard Offiong.

The Cumbrians have brought in winger Kevan Hurst and Offiong and the transfer deadline is next week.

Abbott told BBC Radio Cumbria: "I don't know if that is the last of the transfer activity, I would think probably so.

"But if people come in and take one or two of ours then we would act quickly."

Abbott believes his squad is now well-equipped to improve on last season's 20th-place finish.

The thing is quiet just at present but you know what football is like, that can change in an afternoon

Greg Abbott

"I think that we have got a squad now where there is good depth and competition all over the pitch and it is one that we are reasonably happy with," he said.

"We are hopeful it can go and produce some good performances and some victories."

Offiong, 25, became Abbott's latest addition on Tuesday, signing a two-year deal in a £75,000 move from Scottish Premier League side Hamilton Academical.

That fee could rise to £90,000 if the Cumbrians are promoted from League One.

"I think he felt that it was right for him to come back to England and prove himself here," Abbott said.

"Unless you are in the top four or five in Scotland, England is probably still a big place to play football. His concern was coming to what he thinks is a good club that is going in the right direction.

What I have seen is somebody that has not done a lot of training and it was quite an encouraging performance

Greg Abbott on trialist Craig Lindfield

"It was refreshing to hear him say he had only one club in his mind and that was us, so that makes the whole thing better."

The Cumbrians are also set to take a longer look at striker Craig Lindfield after he scored in the reserves' 7-3 win over Blackpool this week.

Lingfield, 20, was released by Liverpool earlier this month after 12 years at Anfield.

Abbott said: "I certainly knew a lot about him as an 18-year-old but his route has got blocked.

"What I have seen is somebody that has not done a lot of training and it was quite an encouraging performance and certainly one that tells us that we need to take an extended look at him."

Abbott also confirmed that he has yet to receive offers for any of his existing squad.

"There hasn't been any interest in our players at the moment," he said. "The thing is quiet just at present but you know what football is like, that can change in an afternoon.

"At the minute though we are comfortable with what we have got. We think that it is a good squad with a bit of strength in depth now in all areas."