Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott has admitted he has been encouraged by the impression made by new striker Richard Offiong at the club.

Offiong, 25, joined the Cumbrians from Scottish Premier League side Hamilton for £75,000 in August and Abbott has already sensed his potential.

"He's got pace, he's got power, he's decent in the air and he likes to shoot," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"He likes to score goals and he has a different attitude around the box."

Expected to provide competition for Offiong and other strikers such as Scott Dobie and Gary Madine is winger Joe Anyinsah, who has been pushed into a more central role in recent matches.

And Abbott believes Anyinsah can have a real impact in the striker's role and begin to win over the supporters.

"Maybe the fans are just starting to believe in what we're trying to do, because I've been saying it for 12 months, Joe Anyinsah will be a threat but people need time," he said.

"Just look at Jermaine Beckford's first attempt at playing as a centre forward, when he came in from Leeds and look at him now.

"We think Joe and Richard can do that, we need to trust people and give people time and don't expect miracles overnight, Joe's made that switch to a central striker and he's got all the attributes to make him a very good player in that position."

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