Carl Forster has been appointed Whitehaven player-coach.

Forster was part of a four-man coaching team which led the club to three wins in its last five matches after the departure of coach James Coyle.

The forward will take the club into League One after relegation from the Championship with rivals Workington Town.

A club statement said: "He has shown extreme dedication to the club, signing before we were relegated.

"That is the spirit we will need to carry the club forward in what will be another hard season.

"His performances on the field have been simply tremendous and he threw everything into the games, leading by example from the front.

"When you have forwards like Carl winning the battle in the middle of the field, that's when you win games."

Forster started his rugby league career at Pilkington Recs before joining St Helens, with loan spells at Haven in between.

After a brief spell with Salford, Forster was released and rejoined Haven this summer.

Forster will now start putting his squad together and planning for next season.

The club statement added: "Carl's spirit is really infectious and his enthusiasm is enormous, I think this appointment will lift everybody at the club and be a breath of fresh air."