DARREN Byfield is hoping to add up to five “exciting” new signings to his Redditch United squad by this time next week.
Boss Byfield watched his injury-hit side extend their unbeaten Southern League Premier Division run to four matches on Tuesday when visitors Stratford Town snatched a late 1-1 draw at the Valley Stadium thanks to an 89th-minute goal from former United forward Edwin Ahenkorah.
Byfield acknowledged the visitors were full value for their share of the spoils and revealed he regarded the result as a point won given the circumstances, some of which have led to him making his move in the transfer market.
“I’m not one for saying we deserved this or that because we were so close to winning,” said Byfield, whose side took a tenth-minute lead through new forward recruit Luke Keen.
“If you’re not honest you’re not anything in this game and to be fair Stratford gave us a bit of a lesson in the second half. I said as much to Carl (Adams, Stratford manager) afterwards.
“However, I’ve really got to commend the boys for their efforts and also on Saturday (1-1 draw at Chesham United) because we’ve been badly hit by injuries but we’ve dug in and shown plenty of spirit and commitment to take something from both matches and keep us ticking over.
“I had to play Clayton McDonald in midfield at Chesham which shows how stretched we were so it was an excellent point away to a strong side.”
Byfield, who has been without powerful forward Danico Johnson (knee) for the past two matches, saw midfielder Ahmed Ali pick up an injury in the warm-up in midweek and his replacement Reece Hales lasted little more than ten minutes before suffering a recurrence of his ankle injury and was also forced to leave the action.
In addition, right back Jordan Jones was also forced off with a knock.
Hales was replaced by substitute Lee Hendrie and Byfield is keen to build on Tuesday’s capture of the former Aston Villa midfield ace with further additions to the ranks.
“By this time next week I am hoping to have five new players (one defender and four attack-minded) through the door who, for this level, would be very, very good signings,” said the former Villa and Walsall striker.
“If my plans come off we could have three of them in by the weekend and we are talking about players who I would expect to take the team to another level.
“I am pleased with where we are at the moment because this is my first season as a manager and the players have got the kind of points tally I’d have expected.
“However, if I can pull these deals off then I’d really be excited about where we could go as a team.”
Byfield, whose seventh placed side host Cirencester Town on Saturday before entertaining Cinderford Town on Tuesday, was pleased to see Keen open his account for the Reds against Stratford.
“Luke has moved up a few divisions but has made a good start. He deserved his goal on Tuesday and also forced the own goal which Chesham conceded so that’s a pleasing start for him,” added Byfield.
The manager also explained the reasons behind Hendrie’s arrival.
“Lee speaks very fondly of Redditch United having played here before, as did his brother Stuart, and of course their dad Paul also managed the club,” said Byfield.
“I’ve played football with Lee since he was 11 years old and we are good friends. He’s come here to do a friend a favour and is going to be available for midweek games and hopefully a good few at the weekend, but of course he does have media commitments which are important to him.
“He is still a very good footballer and I am delighted to have him here.”
Byfield is sweating on the fitness of Johnson, Jones and midfielder Eli Bako ahead of the weekend and will definitely be without the services of Hales.
