Workington Reds will be hoping to run the rule over their trialists tonight when they take on Whitehaven Amateurs in the opening pre-season friendly.

The two sides will clash for the Shaun Hocking Memorial Trophy at the County Ground, ko 7.30pm.

Joint manager Lee Andrews says everyone is looking forward to being back in action and it will give him and the rest of the management team a chance to see some players on the park.

"We can't wait to be back. We've only had a couple of training sessions but the lads are ready to play," said Andrews.

"You get more out of a game sometimes than you do on the training pitch. It is more about fitness and getting the touch back.

"We always say results are not so important pre-season but you do always like to win and get into that winning habit early on."

Andrews said supporters will get a first look at the likes of Aaran Taylor and Tom Kilifin who have just signed during the close season

And some of the reserve squad will also be utilised along with trialists such as former Carlisle United youngster Ellis Pearson.

"Ellis has been down for the last two training sessions and he will play tonight.

"He's a left-back who was released by Carlisle and this is the ideal opportunity for us to have a good look at him," said Andrews.

"We've got a couple of new lads and some trialists that will be involved and we will try to give everyone 45 minutes.

"We still have some lads away on holiday but everyone available will hopefully get a run out."

Former Queen of the South goalkeeper Karl Skelton is a trialist who won't feature tonight due to injury.

The shot-stopper attended one training session but has then suffered a bout of tendonitis so will be missing for a couple of weeks.

"Hopefully he will be back fighting fit and then we will be able to have a good look at him," added Andrews.