Reds rocked as Hopper and Anthony are counted out

By John Walsh

Last updated 15:17, Saturday, 30 August 2008

Workington Reds– already without key defender Kyle May – will be without two more experienced players at Alfreton this afternoon.

Workington Reds v Tamworth; Saturday 9th February 2008: PAUL JOHNSON

Midfield duo of Tony Hopper and skipper Graham Anthony are both missing through injury and join the suspended May on the sidelines.

Workington also have the vastly experienced Kevin Gray out of action with a serious knee injury picked up in pre-season.

Manager Darren Edmondson said: “Naturally it’s a sickener. When you lose three players like Kyle, Tony and Graham those are big boots to fill.

“It doesn’t help that we have another away game on Monday at Droylsden so it doesn’t give them much longer to be fit to play in that.”

Dan Kirkup, who came on for May in the last ten minutes against Burscough, will start alongside Lee Andrews at the heart of the defence.

Edmondson has to decide how he will re-organise his midfield but Shaun Vipond will probably move into the middle after starting on the right for his full Workington debut on Monday.

He will pick from: Collin, Hewson, Rowntree, Andrews, Kirkup, Robinson, Vipond, Johnston, McLuckie, Gullen, A. Wright, J. Wright, Arnison, Hardman, Edmondson.