By John Walsh

Last updated 12:24, Wednesday, 16 April 2008

WORKINGTON Reds could have to face Blue Square North champions Kettering Town without several key players on Saturday.

Dave Hewson is carried off during last night’s defeat

The biggest crowd of the season is expected, too, at Rockingham Road as the Poppies will be presented with the Blue Square North championship trophy at the match. But Reds, who will want to be cast in the role of party poopers, may have to go into the game without Kyle May, Dave Hewson, Michael Reed and Tony Hopper.

Hewson’s season looks to be over after he was carried off last night with an ankle injury when Reds lost 1-0 at home to Burscough.

Hopper was forced to miss the game with a back problem while Reed retired at half-time with a pulled hamstring.

May took a knock on the ankle late on in the game, which was badly swollen when he left the ground.

Manager Darren Edmondson said: “We won’t be able to finalise a squad until very late in the week but clearly one or two of the lads have problems.

“Everyone was looking forward to going to Kettering because it’s going to be a special day for them as they get the League championship trophy. We want to go there and spoil the day by putting on a performance of our own.”

Workington will complete their Blue Square North programme next week for after the trip to Kettering they host Worcester on Tuesday night and then travel to Harrogate on the final Saturday of the season.

Kettering drew 1-1 at Barrow last night and are still four points off the record points haul for a championship-winning side.

The Poppies manager Mark Cooper is currently serving a five-match touchline ban and will watch the game with Reds from the stand.

Cooper was handed the ban because of comments he made towards the referee after the 1-0 home defeat to Stalybridge Celtic back in January.

The ban had been due to start on April 21 meaning he would have been forced away from the touchline for the first three games of next season but it has subsequently been brought forward.

The visit of Workington will be his third game away from the touchline and he will also be missing from the technical area at Redditch next Tuesday and at home to Gainsborough in the final game on April, 26.

Cooper said: “To get five games for telling the referee his performance wasn't very good seems a bit harsh as well as having a £300 fine.

“The only bonus is that it's at the end of the season and I can get the games out of the way while there isn't as much at stake.”