Abbott has told players not to drink on the weekend before midweek games

Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott has issued a warning to his squad following the arrest of two of his players in the space of a week.

Goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley has been charged with drink-driving while striker Gary Madine was fined for being drunk and disorderly last weekend.

"They now know what I will and will not accept at this football club," Abbott told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"If they step out of line then they will be in serious trouble."

Pidgeley, 25, will appear in front of Carlisle Magistrates next week after being taken into custody by police at 4.30am last Sunday.

"We've had a meeting with the squad and I've said in no uncertain terms what I demand from my squad." Abbott said.

"As football players we have a certain responsibility to conduct ourselves in the proper manner and we haven't done that over this past week."

Abbott would not be drawn on whether Madine, 19, would be considered for selection for Saturday's visit of Brighton & Hove Albion in League One.

"That's something I'll decide when I've spoken to Gary and heard what he's got to say for himself," he said.

"What Gary has got to do is try to get into the first team. The best way to do that is to train hard, play hard and live right off the pitch.

I need to be stricter on what is and what isn't allowed and they will be under no illusion from now on Greg Abbott

"Gary might find some of the things he's doing off the pitch might be contributing to the fact he's not getting on the pitch."

Carlisle moved up to ninth in League One following their 3-0 win against Tranmere at Brunton Park last Saturday.

"We could have all been talking about the nice things the players are doing at the moment," Abbott said. "The distraction is we are now having to talk about something that has largely been out of my hands.

"We have a strict no-drinking code 48 hours before the games. We have now said we don't want players drinking at the weekend if there is a midweek game.

"I need to be stricter on what is and what isn't allowed and they will be under no illusion from now on."

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