CARLISLE United manager Greg Abbott is desperate to sign a striker on transfer deadline day ahead of his side's trip to Colchester United tomorrow night.

CARLISLE United manager Greg Abbott is desperate to sign a striker on transfer deadline day ahead of his side's trip to Colchester United tomorrow night.

Joe Anyinsah's limped off with a groin injury in the first half of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Leyton Orient.

And with the in-form striker out for at least a week, it has left the Cumbrians with just two available frontmen for tomorrow night's trip to the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

With Scott Dobie still suspended, it leaves Carlisle with Gary Madine and Richard Offiong to lead the line tomorrow - and Madine is still the subject of a permanent bid from Championship side Coventry

The United squad are due to train at Peterborough this afternoon but Abbott is continuing his behind-the-scenes attempt to add the striker he has been chasing since Vincent Pericard quit the Blues last month.

Asked if he would be content with the players at his disposal if he failed to bolster his ranks before today's 5pm deadline, Abbott said: “I was happy at 3.45pm on Saturday - but not so confident at 4.45pm.

“We have to do what we have to do to keep the team improving. If I can do that, I will.

“We haven't got the same type of clout as other clubs to make things happen but we will be working our socks off.”

Anyinsah pulled up late in the first half on Saturday after scoring his ninth of the season to put United ahead. Ian Harte doubled the Cumbrians' lead after the striker went off, but Orient stormed back to earn a point after the break.

“Joe was a big miss,” Abbott said.

“He is a good player who is getting better and he showed how effective he can be before he went off.

“He has been taken out of it with his groin problem and that is a blow to us.

“He doesn't look great at the minute but the best case scenario is that he will be fit in a week or 10 days. He now needs to see somebody who will tell us what the actual problem is.”

It is not yet known whether Anyinsah's injury is related to the previous hip/groin problem which forced him onto the sidelines for a short spell in December.

His absence makes it increasingly unlikely that Abbott will sanction Madine's permanent departure to the Ricoh Arena unless he has reinforcements ready to come in before 5pm.

The 19-year-old was handed a start against Orient and could again feature in Abbott's starting line-up tomorrow, either alongside Offiong or as a lone target man.