CARLISLE UNITED boss Greg Abbott admits it will be a major blow if the Blues are without injured top-scorer Lee Miller for this afternoon’s trip to Walsall.

Miller picked up a groin strain against Chesterfield a fortnight ago and sat out the victory over Stevenage last Saturday.

The striker, who has netted five goals in as many League games since his summer move from Middlesbrough, had set his sights on a return at the Banks’s Stadium today but – while he has travelled to the Midlands – he appears to be losing his fitness battle, according to Abbott.

“Unfortunately, it’s looking very doubtful that Lee will be involved against Walsall this weekend,” said the manager.

“He will travel with us as he’s been an important part of the dressing room since arriving and we’ll make a decision when we get down there, but at the moment we’re not overly confident. You’re talking about a player who has scored five goals in six games, so of course you’re hoping he’ll be OK and if he isn’t ready then it’ll be a blow.

“It looks like we’re going to be without the big man, but we’ll crack on and deal with it if that’s the situation. If he’s not available then it’s a chance for other players in the squad to grasp the opportunity that come their way as a result.”

Abbott (left) has a decision to make over whether to continue with the 3-5-2 formation that worked against Stevenage, or revert to a regulation back four.

But he will have been cheered by last weekend’s win, which eased some of the pressure that had been heaped upon the Blues boss after a run which included just one victory in the previous six games.

Despite that bad run, Carlisle are 10th in the League One table, just three points behind five clubs who are separated only by goal difference and sit in joint-fourth place.

Meanwhile, trialist Alex Fisher has left Brunton Park after spending three weeks with Carlisle.

The 21-year-old striker scored in reserve outings against Gateshead and Blackburn, but Abbott has confirmed he will not be offered a contract by the Cumbrians.

“We’ve spoken to Alex and told him that we won’t be offering him a deal at this point,” he said.

“We’ve already got four strikers at the club and at the moment we don’t think he’s better than them. We need players who are ready to come straight into the first team and unfortunately he’s not at that level at present.

“He’s worked really hard over the last few weeks and we wish him all the best for his future career.”