Workington Reds boss Danny Grainger has emphasised again ahead of the new season how every member of his squad will play a part as the campaign unfolds.
“The team for Ashton on the opening day will be different from the one that plays at Morpeth on the Tuesday. It’s a long season, more travelling, there will be injuries and some tired bodies early on so players will get opportunities.
“We have an idea of who will be in the squad for a week on Saturday but there’s still one more friendly to go and things can change – a poor performance here or a big display there would change things.
“We have a full squad but I may not take everyone. I will give some the chance of a weekend off as we are looking at getting 90 minutes into people,” he said.
Reds end their programme at Dunston on Saturday and then have a week – with two training sessions – ahead of the opener against Ashton United.
“We’ve had a mixed bag in the friendlies but we have got something out of every game. There have been times when we’ve had a many as six people missing which would always be tough but we still got something out of it.
“I’m more than happy with how it’s gone and if it was the season starting on Saturday I would be more than happy to go into it with the squad I’ve got. During pre-season there have been glimpses of quality and things we need to iron out, but that’s what I expected.
“That doesn’t mean that we are not looking at bringing in anybody else. I had a chat to a player on Tuesday but whether anything comes of it we will have to see,” added Grainger.
Dunston play in the NPL East Division and will be one of the favourites for the title, so Grainger is expecting a tough game.
“I think it will be a good one to finish on and then have two good training sessions ahead of the opening game,” said the manager.
