Last updated at 19:43, Thursday, 12 July 2012

Once bitten, twice shy is how the saying goes.

It’s also a motto adopted by Darren Edmondson, after the Workington Reds boss was stung in the transfer market last year.

It comes as no surprise that Edmondson is reluctant to talk cash with any player before they have proved their commitment by training with the club.

Ignoring opportunistic phone calls is a sensible move so early into silly season, with players offering their services at an inflated rate.

Desperation will kick in the closer kick-off comes, and then will be the right time to pounce.

Workington’s lack of funds leaves Edmondson little room to manoeuvre right now, which is why there are a number of young trialists being given a chance to shine.

Defender Niall Cowperthwaite has impressed during his brief spell, but the versatile youngster is also being chased by Lancaster City.

He would provide much-needed competition for Lee Andrews and Dan Wordsworth, while Callum Hassan could be the immovable object up front.

With Jonny Wright’s fitness always a consideration, Hassan could be the perfect replacement, according to Edmondson, who has waxed lyrical about the former Hartlepool striker.

The two strikers I’d like back at Borough Park are Jordan Connerton and Mark Beck.

Connerton’s season-saving goal was not his only highlight during a brief spell last year, and with more games under his belt he would continue to improve.

Goal scoring has been Workington’s weakness for years and Connerton is certainly a player capable of finding the net.

Getting Beck on loan for three months would also give options. He’s another tall boy, who has good feet and knows where the goal is.

He was given a chance at Carlisle last year, but it is likely he’ll be sent out on loan again to get games under his belt, and Workington would be a great place to learn.

Exciting young forward Ryan Hall is also a player who can play a big role for Workington this season, despite being just 17.

Hall is one of the rising stars of Cumbrian football, and was touted for a move to Carlisle United.

Hall is a long way off being the finished article, but alongside Stefan Scott shows the talent coming through the ranks.

The pair have the ability to go on and become first team regulars at Borough Park for years to come.

NOTTINGHAM Forest haven’t been this relevant since Brian Clough won the European Cup in 1979.

Forest have become the latest in a long line of English clubs to be taken over by wealthy foreigners.

Boss Steve Cotterill was sacked almost immediately, as the Kuwaiti Al-Hasawi family will no doubt be looking to stamp their name across the club with big-name personnel taking top positions.

Harry Redknapp is a front runner to replace Cotterill, but there’s no chance the former England hopeful would stoop so low.

IF JOAO Moutinho moves to Tottenham, Luka Modric’s impending departure will not be felt.

The Portuguese is a target of new boss Andre Villas-Boas, and would be a star in the Premier League.

Moutinho proved Cristiano Ronaldo was not Portugal’s only big-game player after impressing during Euro 2012.

Modric is undoubtedly a top player, but it’s better to let go and replace quality with quality than keep hold of an unhappy player.

First published at 19:25, Thursday, 12 July 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk