Billy Barr’s first team selection won’t include Dav Symington or Stephen Swinglehurst, the new Workington manager has confirmed.
Both senior players won’t be available for Saturday’s NPL Premier Division game at home to Hyde United.
Symington is still serving a ban for being sent off at home to Gainsborough Trinity which started last week at Stocksbridge.
Swinglehurst did start the game on Saturday but was an early casualty and although he tries to train on Tuesday was unable to continue.
“We will try and get him sorted over the next week or so,” said Barr who was named as Reds new manager yesterday.
He took his first session at Newton Rigg, near Penrith, last night, and put early emphasis on fitness.
He said: “To play the way I want we need to be a very fit side so we did a fair bit of running.
“We will be working on set pieces on Thursday night and no doubt tweaking one or two things they have been doing.”
The new manager – who played non-League for Reds in the early 2000s – has already been speaking to potential new players.
He’s missed out on one who has joined a Football League side but is trying to tempt an experienced operator with a role of player coach.
He watched Reds in action against Gainsborough and on Saturday took in this week’s opposition Hyde United in their 2-0 home win over Morpeth.
“They are a functional side and like ourselves are under new management so it’s going to be an interesting contest.
“I want us to be brave on the ball, work hard to get it back when we are out of possession and hope there are areas of their play we can exploit;” he said.
Barr has appointed dformer Reds defender and caretaker manager Lee Andrews as his number two.
He was unavailable for last night’s opening two-hour session but will be involved in the follow-up on Thursday.
