Whitehaven are giving a trial to John Hutchings, the utility back who spent last season with Workington Town.
Hutchings, 22, who can also play in the forwards, will get his first opportunity with Jonty Gorley’s men when they take-on Town at the LEL Arena on Sunday.
Haven are bidding to reclaim the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy which Town clinched with a late try at Derwent Park last year.
Hutchings is among three trialists who will get game time on Sunday. Kells prop Ross Ainley is another and the other will be named on the day.
The teams have agreed that the game will be played using 19 men each, allowing six substitutes.
Whitehaven director of rugby Gary Charlton said: “We have James Newton and Calum Phillips both missing with long-term injuries from last season. Both had ACL operations.
“Another two members of the squad are 50-50 with knocks sustained in training but otherwise everyone else, along with the trialists, should be ready to go.
“Unless we meet up in the Challenge Cup it’s going to be the only time we play Town this season so hopefully that will generate a lot of interest in the fixture.
“We want the fans to support us, because like a number of other clubs in rugby league, there could be repercussions if we don’t get enough through the turnstiles for every home game.”
Haven have said that if they could get 1,200 home gates they would not have a financial problem.
