Abbott is still without defender David Raven for the clash with Paul Trollope's men, with the defender out until March with a hip injury, while captain Paul Thirlwell (Achilles) is also on the sidelines.
The absences mean Abbott will continue to employ Ian Harte as a centre-half, with Richard Keogh and Evan Horwood taking on the full-back positions.
Peter Murphy impressed off the bench against Chesterfield and could be involved as the Cumbrians look to make it three league wins in a row and four out of five in all competitions.
Mikkel Andersen and Chris Dickson return to the Bristol Rovers squad.
Reading prevented Andersen from playing in last Friday's FA Cup defeat against Southampton as they did not want the goalkeeper to be cup-tied, but the Denmark Under-21 international is in contention to face the Cumbrians.
Rhys Evans deputised in the 3-2 defeat against Alan Pardew's side and boss Paul Trollope must decide whether to restore the young Dane to the starting line-up.
Dickson was also refused permission to face Saints by his parent club Charlton but is expected to start.
Defender Danny Coles is also in line to return after coming through training this week and reporting no reaction to a knee problem.
But Aaron Lescott will definitely not feature as he is sidelined with a groin injury.
Sporting Life