By Martin Morgan

Last updated 12:05, Thursday, 17 April 2008

DARREN Edmondson is braced for interest from rival clubs for Workington Reds’ three star strikers.

The Reds boss expects over the summer to field enquiries about Michael Reed, Matthew Berkeley and Jonny Wright, though he would like to keep the trio at Borough Park.

“There’s no point worrying what’s around the corner as you can’t stop it,” said Edmondson. “People are always willing to take a chance on a striker.

“Michael isn’t fully there yet but he’s a good footballer and natural goal-scorer, who is always moving, thinking how he can get a yard to get his shot off.

“He’s an intelligent footballer, and when he plays alongside Jonny, they complement each other well.

“Jonny’s improving all the time and over the last month-and-a-half has been one of our best players. A couple of managers have already told me they like the look of him.

“Matthew’s possibly the most gifted of the three but is young and lacks confidence in his own ability.

“He doesn’t believe he’s a good enough footballer, and we just tell him to keep doing what he does in training and take that in to games. He has bundles of pace and is always a threat, so people will always be sniffing around.”

Runaway league winners Kettering will be presented with the championship trophy after the final whistle of Saturday’s game against Reds at the A-Line Arena.

“It’s going to be a great day on Saturday and we will enjoy it,” said manager Mark Cooper.

The Poppies drew 1-1 at Barrow on Tuesday night, both sides converting penalties. But Barrow’s second-half leveller left Cooper angry at the ref.

“He ruined the game for both teams. They had 2,000 people through the gates who came to see a game of football and we have ended up watching the referee,” added Cooper, who is serving a five-match touchline ban and watched from the stands.