By John Fuller

Last updated at 12:26, Wednesday, 28 July 2010

Four players face the axe from Workington Reds with boss Darren Edmondson looking to cut his budget before the season kicks off.

Darren Edmondson

Money is tight at Borough Park and Edmondson admitted after the 3-0 defeat to Darlington last night that he will have to cut some players from the first team party, which currently stands at 21.

The 38-year-old has been assured by the board of directors that cash will be made available to him after losing key figures in Tony Hopper and Tony Caig but others will need to move on to balance the books.

Edmondson will have his squad chosen in time for the last pre-season outing at Lancaster next weekend.

He said: “I will be looking to speak to individuals over the next week or so as to who will be staying and who we will be letting go.

“Things are tight here.

“I have spoken with the chairman and directors and they assured me they are trying their utmost to find the cash but this squad will have to be cut by three or four players. I have some tough decisions to make about the lads’ future and that will be sorted before the Lancaster game.”

Edmondson saw his young side go behind to three goals in the opening 16 minutes against a physical Darlington side.

He said: “The two big lads up front caused us difficulties. They bullied us a little bit and we didn’t react quick enough to that.

“We gave Darlington too much time and space to play their game and it cost us. In spells we played ok. We passed it around well and got into some good areas but didn’t create too many .

“It’s not always a bad thing to get beat, especially in pre-season because you learn a lot about your players.”

The game was marred by the injury picked up by impressive Darlington striker Liam Hatch.

The big front man left the pitch in agony and rushed to hospital after a tangle of legs with Reds’ Kyle May.

Reports from the Darlington camp say Hatch has broken his elbow after falling awkwardly and could miss the start of the season.

First published at 11:28, Wednesday, 28 July 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk