Workington Town’s Tyllar Mellor has got cup fever ahead of the club’s Challenge Cup opener against Siddal this weekend.

Town will take a break from the Betfred League One schedule to welcome the National Conference League side to Derwent Park on Sunday (3pm ko) and Mellor is excited to get his first taste of cup action.

“I think cup games are good because it’s just 80 minutes and you either win or you’re out,” he said.

“It’s massive for learning how to manage a game situation and it’ll be a good experience because this will be my first major cup game.”

The youngster is enjoying life at Town after returning to the club in the summer on a permanent deal from Super League side Huddersfield Giants following an impressive spell on loan last season.

He said: “There is a real buzz around the place.

“We’ve recruited really well this year and everyone knows where we want to be this season.

“It’s a really positive environment and a great place for me personally because there are so many veterans around who I can pick up little things off, tricks and skills to improve my game.

“I’ve gained so much experience.”

With new arrival Ryan Fieldhouse sidelined for up to four months after picking up an injury in training, Mellor has been filling in at full-back in the opening stages of the season.

While it is not the youngster’s preferred position, he is making the most of the opportunity to adapt and improve in a less familiar role in the team.

“I feel like I’ve been doing a decent job,” he said.

“There are still areas I need to improve on but I used to play full-back in the academy so it’s not like it’s the first time I’ve done it.

“I’ve worked closely with Leon Pryce and Jamie Doran on some little things I can get better at.

“It’s the kind of sport where you just get on with the job you’ve got and do whatever it takes for the team.

After a strong start to the season saw Town win at Oldham then at home to North Wales despite less than stellar performances, a trip to Doncaster on Sunday ended with Workington suffering their first defeat.

Mellor is staying positive but admitted the squad have areas to work on if they are to achieve their goals this season.

“It’s not been a bad start,” Mellor said. “Donny were a really big test and they’re the kind of games we want to be in and win. Obviously we came up a bit short but the effort from the boys was massive.

“We made a few errors which we’ll be working on in training.

“We’ve got to start clicking together a bit more.

“I want to keep performing to the best of my ability and do as well as I can at full-back.

“As a team we want to be up there and fighting for promotion.

“We’re good enough to so I don’t see why we can’t.”