Workington Reds will be looking at another trialist tomorrow in the big friendly with Carlisle United.
Although most of the first team squad is available again acting manager Steven Rudd is having a look a the North East-based player who had been attached to a Premier League club.
Rudd said: “He is a central midfield player who trained with us last night and looked good. The problem is he hasn’t played much in 18 months so is just finding his feet really.
“He has played with a Premier League Under 23s side so the plan is to get him back training and have another run out next week when we go to Consett.
“Goalkeeper Danny Eccles, from Barrow, will be involved again tomorrow and will probably get 90 minutes at Consett next week.
“We haven’t really gone with a number two keeper in the past but it’s probably going to be sensible to have one.
“Not only will it provide competition for Jim (Atkinson) but if something happened where Jim got pinged for COVID on a Friday we wouldn’t be rushing around looking for another keeper.”
Ceiran Casson and Stephen Rigg, who missed the Morecambe game, both return to the squad.
Levi Amantchi, who was the forward trialist on Tuesday against Morecambe, won’t be involved. He is going to a League club on Monday for a trial.
The midfielder involved against the Shrimps was Guilherme Balthazar, who actually played against Reds last season for Newcastle Benfield in the FA Cup.
Rudd said: “The thing is you can’t be overloaded with trialists when you need to give game time to your own lads.
“He will probably train with us again and get a run out over in the North East next week.”
Carlisle United opened their pre-season programme with an 8-0 win at Penrith on Tuesday.
The Blues have organised two friendlies tomorrow – at Workington and Hebburn – and say they will be sending a balanced squad to each.
