Gari Rowntree will be back to provide some much-needed experience in the Workington Reds line-up this weekend.

Rowntree missed last weekend’s defeat at Gainsborough Trinity through suspension, and the loss left Reds 10 points from safety in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

But assistant boss Steven Rudd says getting Rowntree back for Saturday’s home game with Bamber Bridge could be key.

“Just having Gari around in the squad and in the changing room, getting the lads going, is key,” said Rudd, who came on board recently as assistant to manager Lee Andrews.

“His experience is vital to us.

"He is a good player and will give us that extra boost going into another big game.”

Reds will have to manage without Dan Wordsworth, though, as he still has one match of his suspension still to serve.

The boost for Andrews and Rudd is that they picked up no new injuries in the loss at Gainsborough and Rudd says they are still keen to get more players in.

He admitted that it has not been an easy task - but one they are not yet ready to give up on as they look to boost the squad for the relegation fight ahead.

“Myself and Lee are never off the phone, trying to get lads in,” said Rudd.

“It is getting a bit close to the weekend now but we do have some irons in the fire, we are just trying to get them over the line.

“Our geography doesn’t help but we also need lads who want to be with us. Lads have to come prepared for a battle.

“We have a big challenge ahead of us and all the lads who play for us need to be ready to come in and make a difference.”