Whitehaven have given neighbours Workington Town permission to speak with their former forward Karl Olstrom.

The signing deadline for players to be available for the Eights is on Friday and both West Cumbrian clubs are hoping to strengthen.

Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd said: “Garry Mounsey, my counterpart at Workington rang to ask about Karl and asked if Town can talk to him. He is on contract to us but we have given them permission.

“Our coach Carl Forster is trying to add a couple of players to the squad before the Friday deadline.”

There have been issues with Olstrom at the Recreation Ground and Whitehaven are now prepared to unload.

But there are various options open to the two League One clubs when they do get round to talking again about the player.

It could be a straight cash transfer or a loan arrangement, while Whitehaven might prefer a player-swap.

Olstrom has made only a handful of appearances for Whitehaven since moving from Town in the winter, but was prominent in all of them.

Whitehaven were unfortunate to lose experienced forward Dave Allen with an ankle injury, which has sidelined him for the whole season.

They do not have a huge squad and with several players taking knocks in the tough derby clash with Barrow, there will be some anxious visits to the treatment room before the Eights resume on July 30.

Forster himself Tweeted: “Never felt this bad after a game ever!”

The player-coach had been singled out for some close attention during the game and will welcome the break this weekend more than most.

So too will record-breaking winger Craig Calvert who had to sit out the Barrow game with a hamstring problem.

Forster has been assessing his options on recruitment for the Eights and says he will be working hard to bring in a couple of new faces.

One deal had previously been agreed with Leigh winger Dave Thompson being available right through to the end of the season.