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Chris BirchallLoan man Chris Birchall is still not deemed fit enough to play a full part in Carlisle United’s survival battle, according to manager Greg Abbott.

Birchall, who joined from Coventry before last month’s emergency loan deadline, was surprisingly left out of the 16-man squad for Saturday’s trip to Northampton.

The Trinidad & Tobago international has only managed one half-hour sub appearance since linking up with the Cumbrians.

Abbott claimed the priority was to make Birchall a permanent signing in January and ensure he would improve the United side in the long run.

“He is one we want to take on a longer term, and we will work on getting his fitness up,” said Abbott.

“He has not had the training or the games he would have liked at Coventry and he is playing catch-up.

“At Northampton I had two centre-forwards and a winger on the bench, and I had to have a defender there. That was my choice. If I’d included Chris and left Simon Hackney off the bench instead, I would have been wrong in some people’s eyes.”

Abbott said he has not ruled out the prospect of bringing his players in for training on Christmas Day ahead of the Boxing Day clash with Huddersfield.

The Blues chief, meanwhile, expects to confirm a second month’s loan for goalkeeper Tim Krul today after further talks with Newcastle.