Popular former Workington boss Gavin Skelton is back at Borough Park tonight with his Queen of the South team (ko 7.30pm).

It will be Reds’ final home friendly in their pre-season programme and will be a proper test against a Scottish Championship side who have already started their competitive season.

Queens suffered their first defeat in the Betfred Trophy on Saturday when they went down 2-1 at Premier League Partick Thistle.

“I thought we had some good spells in the game and created opportunities, hitting the woodwork three times, so it was disappointing to lose to two goals in the last 15 minutes,” he said.

Queens had won their opening two group games in the competition and finish on Saturday at home to Stenhousemuir.

Workington had eight players unavailable for their last friendly, a 1-1 home draw with West Auckland, and hope to have a few of them back in.

Definitely out, though, are midfielders Phil McLuckie (work), Rob Wilson and James Earl (both injured) along with last season’s top-scorer Scott Allison who has a niggling injury problem which needs rest.

Earl was hurt against West Auckland on Saturday, and although it’s the same foot that he broke in March the injury this time is more of a twist or sprain and he should be recovered by the weekend.

Back into the squad come ex-Carlisle and Barrow midfielder Dave Symington, veteran defender Kyle May and former Carlisle and Barrow midfielder Nathan Waterston who finished last season with Penrith.

Reds’ Dave Hewson said: “Nathan broke his ankle playing cricket earlier in the summer but he’s ready to play again and will get part of the game against Queens. We liked the look of him when we saw him playing a couple of times for Penrith, so invited him to pre-season.”

Local defender Sam Smith has spent the last two months in Australia but he is expected back home tomorrow and he will return to the squad for Saturday’s trip to Lancaster.