Super League star and former Haven forward Kyle Amor believes merging Haven and Workington could be the best thing for rugby league in West Cumbria.

The prop, who has just been named St Helens’ player-of-the-year, thinks the West Cumbrian sides could struggle to recover from relegation and an amalgamation would revitalise rugby in the area.

Both clubs are set to be playing in League One next season although Sheffield Eagles’ off-field problems could throw them a lifeline.

“I was disappointed to see Haven go down but I was torn because them and Workington aren’t getting the results,” said Amor.

“Let’s see how the next few years go but it could be better to come together as one West Cumbria team.”

The 29-year-old isn’t convinced Haven would be able to bounce straight back – especially with the introduction of Toronto Wolfpack to League One next season.

He added: “They maybe won’t get back up right away. Toronto are recruiting well and looking like coming in and going straight up.

“League One is an unforgiving league. If they go up they need to be ready to compete.

“It all depends who they bring in. I think it’ll be hard to get players to the club. They need to look to build bridges with amateur clubs.

“The conference leagues have some good players. They don’t seem to be attracted to being at Whitehaven, I think it’s down to how they treat the clubs.”

But he does think an unified side would be able to challenge in the Championship.

“It’s alright going back up but you have to be able to compete. Financially the club could struggle and the gap between the top teams is only going to get bigger. I do fear for clubs in Cumbria,” said Amor.

“I think if you put the two clubs together they would definitely stay up, it would boost the whole amateur game too. They might be able to have a crack at the Championship.”

And bringing the sides together would give West Cumbria a chance of having a team at the top of the game, says Amor.

“To get into Super League would take a lot of time but they could certainly build towards something like that,” he added.

“I genuinely do think you could play half the home games at Whitehaven and half at Workington. It would be better than watching a League One side.

“They’re maybe getting 500 at each now, there’s not many going anymore. Change always happens in sport.”