Last updated at 12:18, Monday, 03 December 2012

Greg Abbott is set to ask Rory Loy to ride to Carlisle United’s rescue after admitting he could now turn to the fit-again striker.

Rory Loy

United boss Abbott would prefer not to rush Loy back so soon but said he may have no choice.

The Blues, who suffered another home defeat by Bournemouth in the FA Cup, host high-flying Sheffield United next weekend.

And the League One game could now mark Loy’s return to the matchday squad after nearly a year out with a broken leg.

Abbott said: “Rory might be back in contention.

“He is probably two or three competitive games away from where we’d like him to be, but we are not going to get those games for him, so it’s training ground stuff and stepping his work up. He might have to go in and we might have to find out about him on the pitch.”

The Scottish forward has made three second-string appearances since his return to fitness, scoring at Barnsley last week in his first 90-minute outing of the year.

Abbott is desperately seeking solutions to his team’s dreadful form at Brunton Park.

Saturday’s 3-1 cup reverse – which earned the Cherries a third-round trip to Premier League side Wigan – was the seventh time Carlisle have conceded three goals or more in a home game in 2012/13.

It was also their eighth home defeat in all competitions, and News & Star Sport understands the second-round exit is likely to lead to more financial cutbacks at the cash-strapped club.

Abbott – who is facing more heavy criticism from fans – referred to the gulf in finances between United and Eddie Howe’s Cherries but with the Blades up next the manager said his players must find a way to raise their game.

“The players can’t just accept playing big clubs with stronger squads,” he said.

“They have got to say ‘we want some of this’. Small clubs beat big clubs all the time, from the Premier League down to the Conference.

“We’ve got to be thinking we can compete. We’ve done it in the past.”

Abbott confessed that some of his players looked “frightened of going out and producing” in the Bournemouth defeat, which drew a crowd of just 2,980, including 430 travelling fans.

But the manager later insisted: “There isn’t a fear element. That would be making excuses.”

Mark Beck’s third goal in two games was United’s consolation but goals from Wes Fogden, Eunan O’Kane and Marc Pugh put the Cumbrians to the sword.

Abbott added: “Honest and hard working performances get a pat on the back from me. It’s all you can do.”

First published at 12:15, Monday, 03 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk