HAVING signed one Sunderland player already this month, Greg Abbott is hoping to push through a deal for another next week.
The focus today is an important fourth-versus-fifth game in League One at Milton Keynes Dons.
However, once that is out of the way, the Cumbrians are expected to try to sign striker Jordan Cook on loan from the Stadium of Light.
Cook’s former team-mate Liam Noble this week moved to Brunton Park on a permanent basis after 18 months of loan spells.
Twenty-one-year-old Cook made three substitute appearances for the Black Cats last season and was expected to be in the squad which faces Chelsea today.
Once that is out of the way, though, Carlisle hope to strike a deal for the highly-rated forward.
The news of a move for a striker, though, could be a mixed blessing.
Plenty of scouts are sniffing around Carlisle’s current front two of Lee Miller and François Zoko, and Matty Robson says it would be a “massive” boost to their promotion hopes if both were still on the books come February.
The former Hartlepool United left-back said: “There are always going to be rumours in January, especially when the team is doing well.
“There are a few of the boys who clubs are looking at and understandably so because they have been fantastic for us.
“It would be massive for the club to keep hold of them – at the minute we are all together as a group and hopefully we do not sell anyone and only add to what we have.
“It is all just talk at the minute and until anything happens you just have to get on with your game.
“If big clubs come in you would not begrudge anyone that opportunity, but at the minute they are Carlisle United players and they are giving everything.”
Miller, an August free transfer signing Middlesbrough, and Zoko have both scored nine goals this season.
After a slow start to the season, Ivorian Zoko has scored six goals in his last six matches.
No changes are expected as manager Abbott looks to win three games in a row for the first time in his management career.
The versatile Chris Chantler will hope to change that after making his Football League debut from the bench in last week’s 4-1 thrashing of Leyton Orient.
The 21-year-old made his loan from Manchester City this week.
Former Sunderland winger Andy Welsh will be hoping to feature after returning from three months out with a calf injury.
Like Chantler, he was on the bench last week but did not leave it.
The Dons are five points better off in the table but have an FA Cup replay against Queen Park Rangers on Tuesday. The winners face Chelsea in round four.
