Carlisle United boss Greg Abbott has not ruled out trying to make Darryl Duffy's stay at Brunton Park a permanent one – if the Bristol Rovers striker's loan spell with the Cumbrians is a hit.

Abbott is a long-term admirer of the 25-year-old Scot and made an unsuccessful attempt to lure him to Carlisle back in 2007 during his first season in charge of the club.

"We bid £100,000 for him three years ago when he was a Hull player," Abbott said. "That was as far as we were able to go and Darryl ended up going to Swansea.

"But we kept track of him since then and about six weeks ago we got some encouragement from Bristol Rovers that we might be able to bring him in.

"We have been knocking on the door and it is great news that we have managed to get him."

Abbott has been keen to bolster Carlisle's strikeforce since the Cumbrians saw French marksman Vincent Pericard depart to Swindon Town – and the need intensified when they lost former Bristol City marksman Joe Anyinsah to injury and Scott Dobie picked up a suspension.

"Trying to find a goalscorer at this level in our price range is difficult, but Darryl has scored goals everywhere he has been and hopefully he can kick on again with us," said Abbott.

"He is very elusive in the box and when he has scored against us in the past for Swansea, they have been six-yard box goals. We feel we have lacked that type of player."

The sudden departure of the Glaswegian, who had scored five goals in 28 appearances for the Pirates this term, came as a surprise to Rovers fans – especially as the club failed to bolster their own frontline before last week's transfer deadline.

But Duffy admitted it came as something of a shock to him as well.

"The move to Carlisle came out of the blue really and the first time I heard about it was at 11 on Monday morning, so it only gave us six hours to get the deal completed," said the striker, who made his debut for the club at Colchester the following night.

"I've never had so little time to make a decision on whether to stay or move to a new club, so it was a bit manic.

"But it was pretty straightforward because Carlisle were offering me a fresh start and that is what I felt that I needed.

"It was a bit of a rush, but I'm glad we managed to get it done because it gives me a chance to play more regularly."

Duffy's contract with the Pirates expires next summer, but under the terms of his initial three-month loan deal he won't be allowed to face his parent club when Rovers make the long trek to Cumbria on Good Friday.

"The Carlisle lads seem like a good bunch and they have been very welcoming, so hopefully I'll hit the ground running on the pitch and make a good impression," Duffy added.

Bristol Rovers' community department are running a series of football fun days for youngsters during the half-term break. They take place at the Golden Hill Sports Ground from Monday, February 15 to Friday, February 19 from 10am-3pm and cost £10 per day or £40 for all five days. The fun days are open to boys and girls aged between six and 12 and places can be booked by calling Bristol 952 2581 and leaving a voicemail or by email to john@bristolroverscommunity.org.uk