Whitehaven coach Carl Forster mapped out his plan for the new campaign last night as he met his new squad for the first time.

“I’d been looking forward to the first team meeting for weeks, because of how smoothly we had got the lads signed up," said Forster.

“I think it is a very good group of players and I sense they are as keen as me to get the season under way.

“But we have a lot of hard work to do ahead of the first match and last night was about talking over what I expect from them and checking strength/conditioning tests.

“They will be tested again before Christmas and after the New Year as we build-up towards the first friendlies."

The Haven squad will train Tuesday and Friday, and every other Saturday morning as Forster is looking to produce the fittest squad in League One.

Dave Allen, because of his recent involvement with the Ireland squad, has been given extra time-off while the same applied to Chris Taylor because of an injury issue.

Tyrone Dalton, who has returned to the club from Kells, has also been excused because of his father’s recent death.

So far, Whitehaven have only managed to confirm one friendly at Keighley on January 15 but are working on three others.

Forster said: “Workington Town, Barrow and Newcastle Thunder are all being discussed and I would like to play all three of them to give us a four-match programme ahead of the first competitive match.

“We have a competitive squad of 25 players for the new season and I want all of them to have a fair bit of game time in the build-up to the new season.”

It is Workington Town’s turn to host the annual Ike Southward Memorial Trophy game and it is believed the club may be looking at a date towards the end of January.