Carlisle boss Greg Abbott is looking to the Scottish leagues in an effort to lure players to Brunton Park.

Abbott needs reinforcements after the Cumbrians narrowly avoided relegation last season, but he is aware his side cannot compete with Championship clubs having lost out to Swansea for Queen of the South striker Stephen Dobbie.

However, the 45-year-old is continuing his pursuit of transfer targets north of the border with the help of Carlisle's football in the community coach and former Celtic winger John Halpin.

"John has done a terrific job in helping us identify players in Scotland, and give us some references," Abbott told the Times & Star.

"We have got a couple of real, live targets up there who have come back with outstanding references, and we have liked what we have seen."

Of Dobbie, Abbott said "It was always going to be difficult to attract him when he scores the goals he did and got his move to Swansea."