Workington Reds have boosted their depleted squad by signing talented former Blackburn Rovers youngster Sam Joel.

The 19-year-old attacker can play anywhere across the front line and the Reds are hoping he will fill the void left by Joe McGee.

If the paperwork is completed in time, the youngster could make his debut today at Matlock Town.

Joint manager Lee Andrews said: “He is a talented player with a lot of potential.

“He will be a good addition to the squad, especially with Joe leaving, it will fill that void.”

Joel spent the bulk of his career with Blackburn Rovers, having come through their Academy from the age of 10.

He has scored for Rovers Academy and their Under-21s as well as netting goals in the FA Youth Cup.

While at Rovers, he spent a successful loan period with Bamber Bridge playing in Evo-Stik First Division North.

This season he has spent a trial period with Bolton Wanderers and, more recently, has been turning out, and scoring, for Holker Old Boys.

Current Holker manager Brian Dawson recommended the teenager to join Reds boss David Hewson and he has been training with Workington for the past couple of weeks.

Matlock joint boss Glenn Kirkwood says his side will be wary, despite their results against Workington earlier in the season.

The two teams met three times in a week back in October, with Matlock winning two, with one draw.

“Even with those results last October, Workington weren’t a bad side so we know it’ll be a mega tough game on Saturday,” Kirkwood admitted.