Reds boss Lee Andrews hopes Carlisle United will provide a stern test for his Workington side on Wednesday night as they continue building towards the start of the league campaign.

The West Cumbrians started their preseason schedule with a 10-2 win over neighbours Whitehaven Amateurs to retain the Shaun Hocking Memorial Trophy last Wednesday.

And a mixture of first team and reserve players took part in the Raydale Cup at Gretna at the weekend, losing in the final to a Carlisle United youth squad.

But Andrews is counting on Wednesday night's fixture to be a step up in difficulty as he and fellow manager Dave Hewson look to whip their side into shape for the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

Andrews said: "It's obviously a preseason game but it's a good test against a full-time side who will look to dominate possession.

"The Whitehaven game was encouraging and everyone got 45 minutes so we were pleased with the performance and to win.

"I'd imagine Carlisle's squad will be a bit of a mix and match.

"Preseason is about game time and we want to make sure that we hit the ground running."

Reds' squad are due to have their seventh training session of preseason tonight and Andrews said the players have returned confident and in good shape.

"We've had a decent amount of football but it's about preparing for the first game of the season," he said.

"They seem to have looked after themselves and came back in decent shape which is what we expect from this group."

Along with Hewson, Andrews is keeping an eye out for potential signings who could improve the squad but he insisted he was happy to have retained most of last season's group.

"That was our main objective," he said.

"They were disappointed at the end of last season but if they look back it was an achievement.

"The lads are determined, we've got a good bunch who are keen on achieving something this season."