TOMMY CASSIDY admits the scale of Blyth Spartans' predicament is more serious now, after Boxing Day's defeat at Workington, than he first thought.

However, the Croft Park club boss – whose side entertain the Cumbrians in today’s “massive” return fixture – says they simply must make a go of it.

Cassidy has added Bury midfielder Max Harrop on a month-long loan, Sam Hodgson, a midfielder he managed at Whitby Town, and ex-Hartlepool United defender Jordon Mellish.

More may follow, though not Robbie Dale. Despite the clamour, he is contracted to Whitley Bay.

The former Newcastle United midfielder said: “It is starting to get more serious now, I did not think we were so far behind.

“I had a good Christmas but losing on Boxing Day was disappointing.

“Workington are fourth bottom and were the better team.

“Conditions were terrible, the wind was blowing,.

“We played slightly better than them in the first half, but they were better in the second half and that is what won it.

“I have only seen the team play the once. It is hard to establish anything this soon, but I will know more after Monday.”