Abbott agreement with Chester

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott has a gentleman's agreement to complete the signing of Manchester United youngster James Chester.

Skysports.com revealed on Saturday that the League One club were close to capturing the defender on loan and a deal is now expected on Monday morning.

Abbott was again impressed by Chester in Sunday's 1-0 friendly win over Hibernian and sees the centre-back as a perfect partner for Ian Harte in the wake of Danny Livesey's groin injury.

As a result, the Cumbrians boss has as good as completed a deal with Chester and United which will see the 21-year-old stay at Brunton Park until the end of December.

Abbott told Carlisle's official website: "I've known about him for a couple of years and it's common knowledge that the injury to Danny Livesey has been the one big blow for us this pre-season.

Partnership

"We've been looking for the right kind of player to replace Danny and we think that we may just have found him. I've told him to now come here and show everyone what a good player he is.

"He's a very good defender who is a bit like Ian Harte in the way that he plays. He reads the game and he also has pace, and maybe those two would make a good partnership.

"I hope that's the case because we have near enough made the final agreement to bring him here.

"I think we're at the point where I can tell everybody that we have a gentleman's agreement in place. I spoke to James after the game, and it has gone well.

"He was ecstatic yesterday (Saturday) when I spoke to him about coming here because he really seems to want to be part of what we are trying to do.

Handshakes

"After the game today I asked him if there was anything that might have changed his mind and he said that everything was the same.

"I asked if we could have a gentleman's handshake on the deal, and we did that, so if he doesn't join us then that will mean that handshakes don't mean very much any more.

"We have agreed with him and Manchester United that he will be here until 31st December and we can then take it from there.

"We should be able to announce it as a firm signing after he has done all of the necessary paperwork tomorrow (Monday) morning."