Skipper Gari Rowntree should be able to lead Workington Reds in Saturday’s Northern Premier League opener at home to Stafford Rangers.

There were fears that Rowntree would be suspended after being sent off in Saturday’s final warm-up game at Mossley.

But joint manager Dave Hewson is hoping that any ban would apply to pre-season friendlies in 12 months' time.

“The referee was under the impression that, with regard to friendly sendings off, any subsequent ban would refer to the same type of game, meaning friendlies at the start of next season,” said Hewson.

Officially, Reds will be waiting anxiously for the referee’s report and hoping that any punishment will not involve missing league or cup matches this season.

“It wasn’t good, and I wasn’t happy at the time because losing Gari at a time when we have other senior players missing would have been a serious blow. I’m just hoping any ban is held over,” added Hewson.

“Earlier in the game, we’d lost Sam Smith with an ankle injury, but fortunately, that seems as though he’s going to be okay.

"It would have been dreadful if we had to do without both Sam and Gari on Saturday, on top of our other absentees.”

But Reds will have to do without the services of Arron Bradbury this season after he decided he wasn't ready for the step-up.

Reds will be training tomorrow and Thursday in the build-up to the opening league clash with Stafford Rangers.

Hewson and fellow joint boss Lee Andrews will be keeping a close watch on Dan Wordsworth, the first of the hernia sufferers to get back to training, and who is said to be about a week away from playing.

Scott Allison has also had his operation but Reds are still awaiting news of consultations for Josh Calvert and Phil McLuckie.