Last updated at 09:00, Saturday, 07 July 2012

Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott believes Swindon Town will be the team to fear in League One next season.

Abbott picked Paolo Di Canio’s side as possible dark horses in the race for a place in the Championship. Di Canio has been armed with a big budget to try to secure back-to-back promotions, and has already made six new signings.

Abbott said: “Swindon have spent an awful lot of money as he has been given a hefty budget to work with.

“I think they might be the ones who surprise people next season. It’s a less formidable division at the minute but Coventry have made a couple of signings and Portsmouth look like they are getting their act together in terms of bringing players in and they will be powerful because they have a good fan base. We’ve got to start the season well and hope we can compete as we have in the past with these so-called bigger clubs.”

Carlisle begin their countdown to the new season next Friday night when they travel to Kendal for their opening friendly. Trialists Allessio Bugno, Harrison Blakey, Jonathan Meades, Dale Hopson and Aaron Taylor are expected to have a run out after linking up with the club for the opening day of pre-season training on Thursday. Abbott is expecting two further trialists to check in at Brunton Park next week.

First published at 08:56, Saturday, 07 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk