Workington Reds have been handed a double blow before one of the biggest weeks of the season.

Talismanic captain Gari Rowntree and midfielder Phil McLuckie have been ruled out for the rest of the term.

Both players saw specialists yesterday and the news was not good.

Reds boss Derek Townsley said: “Phil has been told he won’t play again this season and Gari is going to need an operation on his knee so that is both their seasons ended.

“We were all hoping that they would be back and I know they are really down about the news.

“But that is where we are now, it is the worst case scenario and we have to go forward with the players we have.”

McLuckie broke his jaw while challenging for the ball against Ramsbottom earlier in the season but he was hoping to be back for tonight’s game at Nantwich Town.

At the start of a huge week for Reds, Townsley admitted the two away matches, at Nantwich and then play-off rivals Ashton, could make or break their season.

“This is a big week which could well shape the outcome of our season,” admitted Townsley.

“Depending on how we go tonight and other results, the season could all hinge on Saturday at Ashton.

“I anticipate that’s the way it will go so we now have four cup finals left to play.

“I just hope that after this weekend, our fate is still in our hands. In an ideal scenario I would be confident, going into the last two games at home, of getting results to make the play-offs.”

As well as Reds’ clash at Nantwich, players, officials and fans will be keen to hear the outcome of a couple of other key clashes tonight.

Ashton, who are just one point above Reds in the league, head to Rushall Olympic while Stourbridge, three points clear of Workington, go to Matlock.

Anthony Wright will miss the trip to Nantwich as he is still struggling with injury and unable to play two games in a week.

Tonight’s match at the Weaver Stadium, kicks off at 7.45pm.