THE MOOD is high at Workington ahead of their season opener today.

Workington AFC manager Danny Grainger reports that his side are up for the challenge when they face Pickering Town on their home turf in the first NPL North West Division game of the season.

"Everyone's looking forward to it, it's been upbeat."

Reds will be chomping at the bit after a frustrating period of lockdown.

"It's been a long time between seasons with everything that's going on. We're ready for the challenge ahead."

Dav Symington is set to return from injury. Grainger is pleased to have options at the club and wants to cultivate competition for the shirts: "He's a massive part of the squad but he's not guaranteed to take his place in the starting line-up.

"I've got a 20-man squad and every one of them is capable of playing in the starting line-up."

The first NPL North West game of the season sees Workington face stiff competition but Grainger knows his squad are up to the test.

"If we want to get where we want to be, we have to win games like this. They dealt with it well last season."

Covid-19 cut last season short for Workington Reds, play was suspended and results rendered null and void with the side sitting at the top of the league and well on their way to their first title in the Premier League.