Workington Reds boss Lee Andrews admits his players are champing at the bit to get into action after they suffered another blow on Saturday when the Borough Park pitch was not passed fit to play their clash with South Shields.

After more heavy rain the Reds ground did not pass a referee’s pitch inspection, despite hard work from officials and ground staff at the club to try and get it on.

But Andrews said his team will remain motivated to win the relegation battle they find themselves in - even if they have to do it the hard way.

“Obviously we don’t want to end up with the backlog we had at the end of last season,” said Andrews.

“And we all just want to get out there and playing again and to get some points on the board.

“Especially as we still have Dan Wordsworth suspended for one more game and that just seems to be carrying on and on for us.

“We need to get this game played so that he will be back available for us as well.”

But Andrews said his players do not need reminded of the task still in front of them, with nine games now remaining after bottom of the league North Ferriby United were wound up in court.

“All they have to do is look at the league tables and that will get them motivated,” said Andrews.

“The lads all know they have a job to do and we now have nine games left to do it in.

“Depending on what the league decides to do about North Ferriby I still don’t think it will affects us too much.

“Whether they give out points or take them away, most of the teams around us still had them to play anyway.

“And it is one less game that we have to fit in before the end of the season.

“So we have gone from 10 games down to nine and we know that they are all massive games, everyone a six-pointer for us.”

Reds will now go back into training this week on Tuesday and Thursday and try and get themselves ready for another big clash next weekend as Workington will be on the road as they head to Whitby Town on Saturday.

“We will just have to prepare for yet another tough game but every game from now to the end of the season will be tough,” added Andrews.