By Jon Colman

Last updated 13:03, Friday, 28 November 2008

Greg Abbott sounded a strong declaration of intent after putting his stamp on the Carlisle United squad with a series of deadline-day loan deals.

Chris Birchall

Caretaker manager Abbott drafted in Coventry midfielder Chris Birchall and farmed out fringe players Josh Gowling and Luke Joyce to Hereford and Barrow respectively.

On one of the busiest deadline days in recent memory at Brunton Park, Abbott also missed out on another target shortly before the 5pm cut-off for loan moves.

But yesterday’s dealings mean the caretaker has brought in three new players since taking the reins from John Ward earlier this month, with three heading through the exit door in a series of dramatic changes.

Centre-half Gowling’s move to Edgar Street for a month was influenced by two encouraging pieces of news for Abbott.

One is the long-awaited return to fitness of Peter Murphy, with the long-serving defender back from the knee injury that has kept him out since early September.

The Dubliner is set to play for the reserves against Accrington on Monday (Brunton Park, 2pm), a game in which Trinidad & Tobago international Birchall - ineligible for tomorrow’s FA Cup replay to Grays (New Recreation Ground, 1pm) - will make his Blues bow.

Another defensive boost for the caretaker boss has been the rise of highly-rated youth team skipper Tom Aldred, who will travel with the squad to Grays and is pushing closer to first-team involvement.

Birchall, 24, has signed on loan util December 31 at which point United intend to take over his contract to the end of the season.

The versatile midfielder played in the 2006 World Cup and Abbott said he will bring important experience to the Cumbrians’ ranks.

“He is decent on the ball, has a great delivery and while he doesn’t have blistering pace, he is a very clever player,” said Abbott. “We are looking for him to be a provider for the likes of Danny Graham, Scott Dobie and Gary Madine.

“He can play on the right or the left, which gives us cover in important areas, and could play centrally in midfield as well.

“He is battle-hardened, has played the game at a very good level and he is one who won’t be fazed by going to places like Millwall on a Tuesday night.

“We have been working on getting Chris in for a week and Coventry have been terrific in helping us do it.”

Abbott admitted defeat on his other main target yesterday but would not reveal his identity.

“He would have been a really exciting signing, but he has gone to another club,” said the caretaker.

Midfielder Joyce will play for Barrow in their televised FA Cup clash with Brentford tonight while Gowling, who has joined Hereford until January 3, will have to wait until next Saturday for his Bulls debut at Colchester in League One.

The former Bournemouth centre-half was Ward’s first close-season signing but Abbott said he is now behind Danny Livesey, Richard Keogh and Murphy in the pecking order, with Aldred also now under consideration and right-back David Raven capable of playing in the middle of the back four if required.

“Murph is coming on great, hopefully we will get him through 70 minutes or so on Monday and he might be ready after that because he is a very fit lad as it is,” said Abbott. “We will see how he goes.

“Young Tom is going to be involved with the squad down at Grays and we want to keep pushing him on.

“Josh needs to play games and going to Hereford is a good opportunity to do that in League One.”

Gowling and Joyce follow Danny Carlton out of Brunton Park after the striker recently rejoined Morecambe on loan. Birchall, meanwhile, joins Tim Krul and Michael Liddle as Abbott’s acquisitions since taking charge. And Ward’s would-be successor said he did not believe such upheaval in the squad would have a detminental effect on the Blues.

“The other two (Krul and Liddle) have slotted in very nicely and I’m sure Chris will do the same and have a positive impact,” said Abbott.