Barrow AFC's pre-season friendly against Workington on Saturday will now be played at Holker Street after the two clubs agreed to a switch in venue.

The match was due to be played at the Reds' Borough Park ground, which will now be needed for rugby league club Workington Town's League One fixture against London Skolars.

Town have been using the Reds' home recently as they have relaid their pitch over the summer and the weather has delayed work the groundstaff at Derwent Park need to do to get it playable again.

With Town also using their neighbours' facilities again the following week, it won't be until July 22 that remedial work to the Reds' pitch can take place.

It was to be Workington's only home friendly of the summer before they begin their quest for promotion back to the Northern Premier League at the first time of asking under new manager Danny Grainger.

Grainger said: “Of course we would have preferred to play the match at Borough Park, in front of our home fans.

"But we have to protect our players, especially with the effort they are putting in, getting ready for the start of the season.

"Barrow will give us a stern test wherever we play them, and we’re grateful that they will host the match.”

Workington chairman John Mackay added: “The board of directors has a plan in place to ensure that the pitch is football ready at the earliest possible date.’’

The change in venue means six of the Bluebirds' seven pre-season friendlies will now be staged at home, with the trip to Lancaster City on July 23 the only one to take place on their travels before their National League campaign begins at Wrexham on August 3.