Workington Reds have been handed both a boost and a blow ahead of today’s league clash against Mickleover Sports.

Goalkeeper Alex Mitchell is in contention to return from injury but it was announced yesterday that forward Alex Salmon has left the club.

A statement on Workington Reds’ Facebook page said: “Alex Salmon has today left the club. We thank him for his services and wish him well for the future.”

Salmon, 21, a former Carlisle United player, posted a message on his Twitter account. He said: “All the best to everyone at @WorkingtonAFC for the rest of the season! Gonna miss the boys #toplads.”

Merseyside-based Salmon, who can up front or as a winger, has found his game time limited so far this season, but was a key player for Workington Reds in the 2014/2015 campaign when the west Cumbrians finished as runners-up and lost out to Ilkeston in the play-off semi-finals.

Meanwhile, an ankle injury meant 24-year-old stopper Mitchell missed Workington’s 1-0 defeat at home to Harrogate Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

He twisted his ankle in the dying moments of Reds’ 2-0 victory away at Colwyn Bay last month.

Mitchell, who lives in Rockcliffe, near Carlisle, is confident of passing a fitness and being in contention for selection today.

He said: “My ankle is a lot better. I am going to give it a go today. I will have a fitness test but my ankle is definitely a lot better than it was.

“The staff said that Colwyn Bay was my best game in terms of my all-round game. Unfortunately for me, the injury just happened in the last few minutes.”

Last season’s No1 Jonny Jamieson was drafted in to replace the injured Mitchell against Harrogate. If Mitchell passes a fitness test, the Reds management team will have a difficult decision of who to start with against Mickleover.

Mitchell added: “Jonny is a good goalkeeper. I knew if I was given the No1 jersey I would have to be on top of my game. It’s helping me keep consistent.”

Derby-based Mickleover are ninth in the table on 17 points, two places and one point above Workington, although Reds have a game in hand.

Mickleover, who were promoted last season after winning the First Division South, beat Matlock 2-0 at home on Tuesday night.

Despite Workington being unbeaten at home in the league this season, Mitchell believes they will have to be on top of their game if they are to maintain that record today.

“Most of the teams in the league are pretty much of similar ability,” Mitchell said. “There are a few standout teams. Every game is tough.

“We will have to be on top of our game to get something out of it.”

Kyle May (head) and Josh Calvert (hamstring) are both injury doubts and will be assessed before today’s match.