Workington Reds could be without eight senior players for tonight’s NPL West clash at Trafford.
Six injuries, a suspension and a player on holiday have seriously depleted manager Chris Willcock’s squad – but something he has had to get used to.
Willcock has shored-up the absences by signing five players so far and was trying hard to bring in another new face for the trip to Trafford.
“It’s unbelievable what we have had to deal with through injuries. I shudder every time anyone goes down on the pitch, thinking it’s a fresh injury,” he said.
Reds, despite their problems, are still 100% from five League games and have only conceded one goal – an 89th minute effort in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Market Drayton.
Remarkably their clash with Trafford is the third time in just over three weeks that they have been involved in a first versus second game.
“I’m not interested in that at this early stage of the season. I will be more interested when we have 10 games to go,” said Willcock.
In those top-of-the-table battles Reds have beaten Marine (1-0 at home) and Clitheroe (2-0 away)and currently have a four point advantage over Trafford.
After tonight Reds will only have two midweek games to play – Ramsbottom (home) next Tuesday and Warrington Rylands (away) on October 5.
“Getting them out of the way will be a help in trying to get players back fit again without the need to put out a team every three days,” said Willcock.
