Whitehaven have re-signed talented forward Karl Olstrom for a second time, as they prepare for their return to the Championship.

The 27-year-old former Wath Brow junior will be in a second stint with Whitehaven, having also had two different spells with local rivals Workington Town.

It is probably fair to say there have been issues during Olstrom’s career which have affected his clear potential, ever since he was released by his first professional club Wakefield Trinity who had signed him from Wath Brow.

But Haven coach Gary Charlton is delighted to have Olstrom back under his wing at the Recreation Ground and is looking forward to a big contribution for him in the months ahead.

“There were a couple of minor issues with Karl when I had him as a player when I was coach at Workington Town,” he said.

“But they were nothing that affected his performance for us.

“He’s a very talented forward, well capable of playing in the Championship and I am sure he’s going to have an important role in our efforts to meet the challenge posed by the higher level.

“Karl hasn’t trained with us as yet but I have no doubts about his fitness and readiness for the new season because he’s always kept himself fit and he will actually be going to Newcastle with us on Saturday.”

Olstrom had joined Haven for the first time at the start of the 2017 season but he was released in April 2018 and a few weeks later re-joined Workington Town.

Whitehaven chairman Tommy Todd said: “Everyone speaks highly of Karl as a player and he was a popular member of the squad last time. He’s certainly the type of player who can give us a bit more out there on the field in the Championship.”

Whitehaven travel to Newcastle for the first pre-season warm-up game on Saturday against the Thunder with just three absentees.

n Haven have confirmed that the Ike Southward Memorial Trophy game on January 19 will kick off at 2pm so that fans can watch the Liverpool v Man Utd game afterwards.