By Jon Colman

Last updated at 09:10, Friday, 26 June 2009

Carlisle United manager Greg Abbott is closing in on two key signings as he steps up his summer recruitment drive.

Greg Abbott

Abbott hopes to complete his double swoop for a left winger and a striker by Monday – two days before his squad reports back for pre-season training.

The United boss confirmed his left-sided target was out-of-contract Hartlepool winger Matty Robson and is working to overcome a “complication” which is holding up the deal for the 24-year-old. He is keeping the identity of the striker under wraps but insisted he would be an exciting addition to the Blues’ ranks.

Abbott also revealed that former Hull and Northern Ireland keeper Alan Fettis had turned down an approach to become Carlisle’s new goalkeeping coach, but hopes to have appointed Dave Timmins’ successor by the middle of next week.

United’s move for pacy Robson was revealed last week in our sister paper, the News & Star, and Abbott said: “He is a player in a position we need – a left-sider who can get crosses in, who has got pace and lots of energy. We are doing our best to make the deal happen. I’ve spent most of my holidays speaking to Matty and his agent trying to fix it up. There is a complication but I’m working like mad to try and resolve that.

“The club has made him a terrific offer, is doing everything in its power to get Matty to the club, and now we need to wait for Matty and his people to come forward and make sure it happens.”

The United boss is keen to recruit a striker to offset the likely departure of Danny Graham, and said of his target: “He has played at a good level and he is the right type.”

Abbott admitted he was no further on in his attempt to persuade Michael Bridges to sign a permanent deal with the Blues, as Darlington emerged as serious rivals for the striker’s services.

The Quakers, who are on the brink of coming out of administration, want the striker to join ex-Blues Chris Lumsdon and Jeff Smith at the club.

“Hopefully there will be some progress with Michael over the weekend,” said the manager.

Abbott had hoped to unveil Fettis as the newest member of his backroom staff yesterday but the 38-year-old rejected Carlisle’s approach in favour of taking up a coaching role at Sunderland.

“Alan is an ex-teammate of mine, he has played for his country and he would have been a good one for us,” said Abbott.

“But he has got a nice role at Sunderland, who we can’t compete with. But we are still talking to three or four good people and I would hope we will have our man in place by Wednesday.”

Abbott said there had not yet been any firm approaches for either Graham or winger Cleveland Taylor, the latter having submitted a transfer request.

“We have spoken to two or three clubs about Cleve, in terms of trying to do something as an exchange for a player. But things are tight for a lot of clubs and movement hasn’t been as hectic as in previous years.

“Certainly, nobody has so far come in with the money we would want for Cleve, although I am due to speak to his agent about the situation.”

Abbott, along with several members of his squad and club staff, took time out from pre-season preparations on Wednesday to attend the funeral of popular BBC Radio Cumbria commentator Derek Lacey. Abbott himself made a moving speech at the service when he paid tribute to “a loyal, honest, good friend”.

First published at 05:13, Friday, 26 June 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk