By Jon Colman

Last updated 18:47, Friday, 09 January 2009

Carlisle United today completed a double transfer swoop with loan star Graham Kavanagh joining the Blues permanently as player-coach and Preston winger Joe Anyinsah returning to the club.

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Kavanagh, who has made 17 appearances and scored four goals since joining United on loan from Sunderland in October, has penned an 18-month contract.

The former Irish international midfielder still had six months left on his contract with the Black Cars but has been released by manager Ricky Sbragia to enable him to take up the role of player-coach at Brunton Park.

United have paid an undisclosed fee for Anyinsah, who was also the subject of a £50,000 bid from Brighton where he has enjoyed a three-month loan stint this season, while Swindon were also reportedly interested.

But the 24-year-old winger has preferred a return to Cumbria, where he was a big hit with fans and team-mates during a successful three-month loan spell last season.

Anyinsah underwent a medical at Brunton Park this morning, and will go straight into the squad for tomorrow’s trip to Leeds United.

The double swoop comes at the end of a dramatic week in which Danny Graham’s future was pitched into uncertainty with Huddersfield making an failed £250,000 bid for the striker. Graham is also being chased by Charlton, Swansea, Preston and Dundee United, while Barnsley manager Simon Davey yesterday admitted he had watched the striker but was not planning a bid.

“I have told Danny to his face that he is not for sale at that price,” said Abbott, who is close to tying up a deal to keep Sunderland loanee Graham Kavanagh to the end of the season.

“I have asked him if his mind is right for Leeds and he said yes. He likes what we are doing here, he is great around the place and he has professional pride. He is bright-eyed and ready, and if he has a poor game that doesn’t do anybody any favours anyway.”

Abbott added: “At the minute he is not going anywhere so I don’t have to worry about it. But we have got things up our sleeve if it does happen.”

The Blues manager, who ruled out a possible move for Hull City veteran Dean Windass, has Peter Murphy and Paul Thirlwell pushing for a recall at Leeds tomorrow.

Simon Grayson’s side should be unchanged with Carlisle-born defender Paul Huntington still absent after groin surgery.
Abbott said: “With the finance involved there, it is imperative Leeds get back up to the top of this league, and we have got to play on that pressure, get stuck into them and make life difficult for them.”

Abbott, who this week handed youth team striker Andy Cook a professional contract to summer 2010, says he has been impressed with trialists Michael Burns, Matty James and Gavin Rothery and hopes to include them in next Wednesday’s reserve match at Sheffield United.

Eric Kinder’s youth team host Preston at Creighton tomorrow, kick-off 11am.

United's  home match with Walsall, cancelled last Saturday due to a frozen pitch, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 10, kick-off 7.45pm.