Former Workington Town star Liam McAvoy can’t wait for his first competitive match for his new club Newcastle Thunder - against his old team-mates.

Thunder will square-up against fellow League One opponents Town in the third round of the Challenge Cup at Kingston Park tomorrow (5pm kick-off) and McAvoy is keen to get started.

McAvoy, who missed last Sunday’s 34-10 victory against Hunslet Hawks in the IPRO Sport Cup with a knee injury, told the News & Star : “Workington Town are a very good side and I’ve a lot of respect for the lads who stayed with them after relegation from the Championship last season.

“I’ve got a lot of mates there and there will be threats from across the park.

“All the lads are capable of making their mark on a game.

“But we have a very good side at Newcastle too and I think we can beat Town.

“Pre-season went very well and we’ll be looking to carry on our good form after the win at Hunslet."

“They have a very good set-up here at Thunder,” added the 23-year-old, who signed for the north-east outfit at the end of last season.

“I’m studying over here for a degree in mechanical engineering and I’m in my second year of four.

"So, it made sense to move and cut out the travelling across from Cumbria on a regular basis.

“I played for the University team last season and we won our league.”

McAvoy was this week named in the initial England squad for the Student World Cup later this year.

He is joined in the squad by Seaton amateur Liam Wood, who has been on trial at Derwent Park.