Whitehaven boss Gary Charlton says his troops will not be holding back when they face Workington Town in Sunday’s Ike Southward Memorial Trophy.

Charlton says a victory in the opening pre-season friendly at Derwent Park, ko 3pm, would be a fantastic stepping stone to bigger things this season.

And he added that his squad are champing at the bit to be involved in the derby encounter.

“We all love a derby game it brings the best out of the players and brings the best out of both teams as well,” said Charlton.

“It is always difficult whenever you go up against a local opponent but we are all really looking forward to it.

“We will be going out there to try and win this game. We see it as a stepping stone to bigger things this year.

“We certainly won’t be holding back, we will be trying really hard. Hopefully all the hard work that we have put in over pre-season will come to the fore on Sunday.”

And he appealed to as many fans as possible to make the short journey up the road to support his side and get a glimpse of the new-look squad ahead of the new League One season, which begins next month.

“We want as many supporters as we can to come and back us. Not only is it a derby game but it is also in memory of a legend of the game,” said Charlton.

“There are one or two players still away on pre-booked holidays and a couple doubtful through injury but everyone else is keen to play and we should have about 20 players.

“Fans will get a first look at the likes of Tom Wilkinson, Andrew Bulman and Ruairi McGoff and these lads have trained the house down and are all pushing for places.

“They all deserve a chance and I’m sure they will get one on Sunday.”

This will be Charlton’s first game after taking over the reins at Haven and he says he is happy with the squad he has assembled although he may still want to add one or two more players before the start of the season.