Workington Town’s Karl Olstrom will miss his side’s crucial opening matches of the Championship Shield after he was handed a two-game ban.

The forward was dismissed in the recent derby against Whitehaven after striking Dave Allen in the first half.

Town eventually won the clash 30-28.

The Rugby Football League’s disciplinary panel decided that Olstrom had committed a category C offence.

Olstrom pleaded guilty to punching his opponent, but contested the category C grading.

As well as being handed a two-game ban, the 24-year-old has also been fined £100.

Head coach Phil Veivers said: “I’m disappointed considering he’s already served one suspension.

“I don’t have any qualms about him being banned, but I thought it was a grade B offence.

“We’ve lost John Patrick again, so to lose Karl for the next couple of games is pretty crucial.”

Olstrom’s suspension leaves Veivers with 19 available players with the countdown to the final seven games under way.

However, the head coach does expect Sam Forrester to return soon to remedy his depleted squad.