Workington Reds are sweating on the fitness of key striker Scott Allison ahead of tonight's clash with league newcomers Witton Albion.

Allison picked up a knock in the 2-0 defeat at Nantwich over the weekend and is a doubt as Reds return to Borough Park, 7.45pm ko.

Joint manager Dave Hewson is hopeful Allison will pull through but admitted he would be leaving it to the last minute before making a decision on his fitness.

"Scott took a knock on Saturday so we will give him up to the last minute to see if he is going to be fit," said Hewson.

"Obviously we hope he will be but we will have to wait and see."

Hewson and co-manager Lee Andrews have a hefty early-season injury list to contend with and hope that Allison is not set to join it.

They are already missing James Earl with a recurrence of an old knee injury, Nathan Waterston, also out with his knee and Lamin Cham with torn ankle ligaments.

And at the weekend, Rob Wilson joined them on the sidelines after opening up an old scar from an operation.

"He has a really bad cut on his ankle on the top of an old scar and they are unable to stitch it," explained Hewson.

"Unfortunately he now has to wait for it to heal by itself so he could be out for a while."

The good news for Reds was that Conor Tinnion played 25 minutes against Nantwich without any reaction and he is available for tonight.

Hewson is aware of the threat from promoted Witton, who have began their Northern Premier League campaign with a draw and two wins.

"Witton, like other teams who come up, are new to the league and out to prove they can compete at this level," said Hewson.

"They are certainly doing that. They have some good new additions to add to the quality they already had, so they will be a force to be reckoned with.

"This will be another difficult game for us but we are going into it hoping to get the all important three points and get us back on the up."

Hewson says his side has put the last two losses behind them and will hope home advantage is key.

"We have had two disappointing results but in terms of performance on Saturday I think we were very unlucky not to get something from the game," he said.

"The way we conceded the goals was disappointing but if it wasn't for the inspired form of their keeper, I think we would have got something.

"So we will take the positives from that game and take them into this one.

"Home games are the most important and the ones where you need to pick up most of your points and we have managed to do that in previous years."

Workington Reds will be on the road in the Emirates FA Cup first round qualifying.

Reds have been drawn away to the winners of Scarborough Athletic v Marske United, with the tie to be played on Saturday, September 2.

Scarborough and Marske met at the weekend in the preliminary tie but the game ended in a 1-1 draw and will now be replayed tonight.