STRIKER Sam Joel has been ruled out of today’s Workington Reds clash with Sutton Coldfield Town.

The talented forward has been ill all week and will not have recovered in time to make the trip.

But Nathan Waterston, who was also struck down by a bug this week, is hoping to be fit enough to feature in the squad.

And in another boost for Reds, there was a mix-up over the amount of yellow cards defender Dan Wordsworth had received.

Wordsworth believed he had picked up his 10th card last weekend, which would incur him an automatic two-match ban.

But, in fact, the FA have confirmed it was only his ninth so he will be travelling with the side to Sutton Coldfield, as will skipper Gari Rowntree who has recovered from a hamstring niggle.

Joint manager Lee Andrews said he might have to change the formation with Joel unavailable and Waterston not 100 per cent.

“Nathan has hardly eaten all week so he will be struggling. He will be in the squad but I’m not sure if he will be fit enough to start,” said Andrews.

“And with Sam missing, it might mean we look to change the shape, maybe to a 4-3-3.”

Sutton might be bottom of the league but they have a new manager in Neil Tooth, who has returned for another spell with the club.

And he will be looking to make his mark in his first game in charge against Reds.

“They are bottom of the league but we can’t read too much into that,” added Andrews.

“They have a new manager and this is his first game so we are expecting them to lift their game for him.

“There are no easy games in this league and this will be another tough game, on a plastic pitch, which throws up its own problems.”