Last updated at 11:58, Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Graeme Mattinson will not be rushed in to his first action of 2013 following successful shoulder surgery – but Workington Town boss Gary Charlton does not expect the super-fit hooker to linger long on the sidelines.

Graeme Mattinson

Mattinson was outstanding for Town before damaging his shoulder close to the end of last season, and he has told Charlton he is keen to return to training as soon as possible.

“He came through the operation okay, and knowing Matty, he will be looking to get himself as fit as possible, as soon as possible,” the coach said.

“Any normal fella would be out for three months, but he looks after his body and trains hard, so we will have to wait and see.

“He will tell us when he’s ready.

“But he trained up until the operation and he’s telling me he will be running about in a couple of weeks.

“That’s the sort of lad he is.”

Town travel to Widnes for a pre-season clash on their artificial surface on January 13, and ideally they would like to fit in another friendly.

“We are looking for maybe one more at the back end of January,” Charlton added.

“We know the Widnes game will be played whatever the weather, and that was a major factor in us taking that game.”

mmorgan@cngroup.co.uk

First published at 11:54, Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk