Carlisle United: Greg Abbott 'confident' three of four will sign

Manager Greg Abbott is confident three of the four out-of-contract Carlisle United players will re-sign, and join Josh Todd in pledging their future.

Todd, 18, has signed a one-year deal at Brunton Park and three of Matty Robson, Lee Miller, Paul Thirlwell and Danny Livesey are expected to follow suit.

"The news is not bad," Abbott told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"I would imagine out of the four we'd have a great chance of signing three - that's not fact, just my optimism."

Abbott added: "One is going to be more difficult to nail down, I'm not going to give you any names but you've probably a good idea who I am on about."

Of the quartet still to sign, Robson has spoken of his desire to speak to Abbott while Livesey triggered a one-year extension offer in his deal by approaching the club.

Captain Thirlwell has admitted he would like to remain with the club, whereas Miller - who has enjoyed a successful spell with 24 goals in 59 games despite injury problems - posted on a social networking site last month that his future was up in the air as he considers the club's offer.