Director of rugby Les Ashe has warned Workington Town not to write off neighbours Whitehaven because of their pre-season results.

Whitehaven will head to Derwent Park to take on Town on Sunday for the annual Ike Southward Memorial Trophy, kick-off 3pm.

But Ashe admitted Whitehaven would still go into the game as favourites due to the experience in the side and the youthful element to Workington.

"Make no mistake this will be a good game," said Ashe, who has been involved in his fair share of derbies over the years.

"Whitehaven may have lost their three games so far but, if they are going to come back, then it will be this weekend.

"They have put an experienced squad together and I don't think they will be far away.

"They should be up there this year in terms of the experienced players they have and they have also picked up some good players from the amateur game, as we have ourselves.

"I don't think it is a matter of if they click but when they click."

But Ashe also declared both sides will be going out to give it their all, in memory of one of Town's greatest players, Ike Southward.

And he said this game was one for the fans, as well as the local players involved.

"Derby matches are very important," he admitted.

"The game is played because of Ike Southward and his family so, although it is a pre-season friendly, there is more to it.

"A game of rugby is a game of rugby and you always go out to win and in derbies even more so because you want to do it for the fans."

Town were due to train last night and would assess their longer term injuries, including captain Jason Mossop, Alex Szostak and John Patrick.

But Kris Coward and Jamie Doran, who were unavailable for the Huddersfield game through work, will be back in contention.