Versatile Widnes Vikings star Ed Chamberlain is joining Workington Town on a season-long loan.

Chamberlain made a handful of appearances for the Super League side last year and played at Whitehaven for the season on dual registration.

The 20-year-old can play full-back, centre or on the wing and Town head coach Dave Clark believes he will be a valuable addition to the squad.

Clark said: "Ed is versatile, athletic and very creative with the ball in hand. He will add further power and pace to the team and he can also kick.

"We’re looking forward to seeing him in action and he’s available for selection in our first friendly against Widnes."

Widnes chief executive James Rule added:

This news comes hot on the heels of the announcement that Town will play a Widnes Under-19 side in a pre-season friendly on January 21.

Widnes will also use the fixture to give several first teamers a run out at Derwent Park, ko 3pm.

This will be new Clark's first look at his new squad in action, ahead of the new League One season.

Town director of rugby Les Ashe said: "The Widnes match will be a good first blow out for the team and a good test.

"We’re also in talks abut another friendly against a Super League team for the end of January which would give us two friendlies and the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy before the season starts."

James Rule said his club were delighted to build stronger links in the area.

He said: "Widnes Vikings are proud to support rugby league in the Cumbria region.

"As a club, we are keen to develop relationships and links with all of the teams in Cumbria and this fixture with Workington Town is testament to that support.

"We look forward to continuing our relationships moving forward."

Admission for this game will be £10 adults, £7 concessions and £3 under-16s.

Town will train over the Christmas break and the coach will make a final decision on several talented amateurs that have been training with the club to try and earn a professional contract.

The successful players will sign in early January.

West Cumbrian rivals Whitehaven and Workington Town will meet again after being paired together in the first round of the League One Cup.

They were the first two out of the hat in Tuesdqay night’s draw made live on BBC Radio Leeds and will square-up at the Recreation Ground.

The two sides are already due to meet at Derwent Park on Sunday, February 5 in the annual Ike Southward Memorial Trophy on the weekend of February 18/19.

Town associate director Gary McKeating said: “It’s always great to play derby games and we will be looking forward to this one.

“It will come two weeks after we have met in the Ike Southward Memorial game so one of us will be looking for revenge, which is always a good thing.

“We will hopefully get a good crowd because it’s always important at that time of the year to keep the finances turning over nicely.”