Abbott admits Hawley concerns

Abbott had set his sights on Hawley, who scored 47 goals in a three-year spell with the Cumbrians before joining North End, as a replacement for Danny Graham. But he hinted he may have to turn his attention to another target after a rival club, believed to be Notts County, entered the race to sign the 27-year-old. "Karl Hawley was a player we had on our radar but his situation is not clear at the moment." Abbott told the club's official website. "It could be he is going elsewhere, we just don't know, so we will continue to do our work as we try to find a player that will add competition in those forward areas."