Workington Reds casting eye over Aussie midfielder Chris Hayton

By John Fuller

Last updated 12:41, Wednesday, 19 November 2008

Workington Reds are giving a trial to an Australian midfielder who has just moved to West Cumbria.

Darren Edmondson and his assistant Viv Busby

Manager Darren Edmondson invited 20-year-old Chris Hayton to train with the Borough Park club last night with the view to a possible move.

Hayton, who has been playing at a similar standard of football to Reds down under, moved to Distington not long ago and rung the gaffer offering his services.

Edmondson said: “Chris’s agent got in touch with me and we arranged for him to join up with the rest of the lads at training.

“We will run the rule over him and see if he can improve our squad.

“It is likely that he will be given a couple of reserve team fixtures to show us what he is capable of.”

Edmondson is also hopeful of securing the signing of Shaun Vipond whose loan at Reds expired last weekend.

Edmondson met up with Carlisle United’s caretaker boss Greg Abbott earlier in the week to discuss the move.

He said: “The talk with Greg went well and he is happy for us to have Shaun. The decision is now up to him and I will be talking to him this week to see what he wants to do.”

Vipond is not the only one on Edmondson’s radar.

The gaffer is hot on the trail of a centre back, which he aims to complete a deal for within the next two weeks.

Edmondson needs to bolster his defensive ranks as star man Lee Andrews requires surgery on a knee cartilage problem that has persisted all season.

Andrews is likely to be out for a month and Edmondson knows he needs to replace him.

He said: “I have spoken to two Football League sides about players and we will see what happens.

“I know I need to get a centre-back in because Dan Kirkup has gone to New Zealand and Lee Andrews will be missing for a while next month.

“Talks are ongoing and hopefully we will have some good news in the next fortnight.”