Shot-shy Carlisle were today desperately trying to complete the signing of striker Richard Offiong in time for him to line up against City at Ashton Gate.

Although the Cumbrians have agreed a deal with Hamilton Academical, the transfer has hit a snag after the player's agent made new demands.

Carlisle manager Greg Abbott, whose side fired blanks in their 1-0 home defeat to Exeter on Saturday, said: "His advisers are trying to get him the best deal, which is always the case.

"I haven't yet spoken face-to-face with the player. We are trying to sort that situation out because we need a boost in that area of the field."

Since selling Joe Garner, Keiren Westwood and Danny Graham to balance the books, Carlisle have struggled to score goals and avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season.

The recession has hit the club hard and a 20 per cent drop in attendance has prevented chairman David Allen from making funds available to strengthen a squad which appears short of firepower.

Manager Abbott also faces a headache at the other end of the pitch after Richard Keogh succumbed to injury.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, who moved north a year ago, will miss out on an Ashton Gate return after damaging a hamstring in last week's 2-1 victory at Stockport.

But Joe Anyinsah, another City Academy product, is likely to feature in a starting line-up which should include veteran midfielders Graham Kavanagh and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson.