Last updated at 07:19, Thursday, 07 June 2012

Greg Abbott today warned his established Carlisle United stars they will have to fight for their place next season despite taking the club to the brink of the League One play-offs.

Greg Abbott

The United manager insists reputations will count for nothing when his players report back to Brunton Park for the start of pre-season training on July 5, and he will have a completely open mind about what will be his strongest line-up for the opening game of the season.

Abbott may have to brace himself for a major rebuilding programme as eight out-of-contract players are yet to give their answer on whether they will accept new deals.

But, regardless of who stays and who leaves, the Blues chief is determined to create more competition for places to try to bolster their hopes of promotion to the Championship.

There are already some intriguing battles for positions next season with Chris Chantler and Matty Robson both vying for the left-back slot.

Abbott said: “There will be 11 places up for grabs and the whole squad should be looking at trying to start the first game.

“Hopefully there will be a lot of interesting duels to get every shirt because there are no guarantees for anyone.

“No one can rest on their laurels or on past achievements. They need to keep fit over the summer and then come back and prove they are worthy of a place. Some people may even come back and surprise you.

“I have to make sure there is competition for every position.”

Abbott is maintaining contact with his out-of-contract players but he insists the club will not break the bank to meet wage demands.

Lubo Michalik, who won his sixth international cap in Slovakia’s 1-0 defeat to Poland on Saturday, James Berrett, Francois Zoko, Peter Murphy, Frank Simek, Danny Livesey, Tom Taiwo and Mark Gillespie are the players out of contract.

As well as looking to strengthen his squad, which last season went agonisingly close to securing a play-off place, Abbott is also making contingency plans in case they reject the chance of new deals.

“There is constant dialogue with players but they know where the club is financially,” said Abbott.

“Things are moving forward but not as quickly as I would have liked. I would have liked contracts sorted by mid-May not mid-June but that’s the way the industry is.

“The nitty-gritty will be mid-June and then we have July to get the jigsaw sorted. The crucial part of any rebuilding is making sure we get the right squad.”

Apart from released Sunderland striker Jordan Cook, who had a successful loan spell at Carlisle last season, he has refused to identify his targets.

However, he could be alerted by a mass clear-out at Huddersfield following their promotion to the Championship, which has seen them release eight players, including Wembley play-off heroes Tommy Miller and Gary Roberts, both midfielders, and experienced frontman Danny Cadamarteri.

Hartlepool midfielder Gary Liddle is another name to be thrown into the frame after he turned down a new contract at Victoria Park because he wants a fresh challenge after six years at the club.

First published at 08:15, Friday, 01 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk