Workington Reds will face Carlisle United in a behind-closed-doors pre-season friendly next month.

The clash between Danny Grainger’s Reds and the manager’s former club Carlisle will take place on August 15 at Borough Park.

But this fixture will not be open to fans due to the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Speaking to the club website ahead of United’s socially distanced training session on Wednesday morning, boss Chris Beech said: “Friendlies are an important part of the process of getting ready and we have a few potentially lined up, with possible opponents from the north-east and Huddersfield, and we’ve also contacted Blackpool, Fleetwood and Preston to see about their availability.

“This is a good, local one for us to play and it’ll give us a good test against a side that did well in their own division last season.

“For us it’s about getting the games we need, but within the necessary Covid guidelines. Safety is paramount, as well as getting the intensity from 90 minutes of play, and Workington will give us that.”

Reds have also announced another clash to add to their pre-season schedule with their annual game with neighbours Whitehaven AFC now set for Tuesday, August 18 at the County Ground, also without supporters.

This takes the total of pre-season games for Reds up to five, with matches already planned against Carlisle City, away, on Tuesday, August 4 and then a clash at the home of Penrith AFC on Saturday, August 8.

These will also be behind closed doors but there is some hope that the clash with Lancaster City, set for Borough Park on Saturday, September 5, may be before supporters.