LIAM McDonald has assured Redditch United fans the club will benefit if hot property Jermaine Hylton moves to a Football League club.

The young striker has been heavily linked with Birmingham City and he is also thought to be interesting a host of clubs including the likes of Southampton and MK Dons.

Up to seven scouts from professional clubs have attended United’s home games to cast an eye over Hylton, who has bagged 14 goals in the Southern League Premier this season.

The forward is not on a contract at the Valley Stadium and would move as a free agent, but the manager insists the club and Hylton’s representative Paul West are playing a longer game.

The forward was set to play for the Blues at Manchester City in a behind the scenes match on Monday.

He said: “As a club we are not in a position to offer players contracts so Jermaine will be free to go.

“He is completely committed to the club and he’s still our player.

“Jermaine continues to work hard but he’s also the best player in the league so there’s a lot of interest in him.

“At some games we get seven or eight scouts watching him which is unprecedented for a club like Redditch.

“It will depend on who signs Jermaine but I genuinely believe Redditch will benefit in the long term and we’re looking at lots of options including sell-on fees.”

Redditch head into their Christmas games at the top of the Southern League Premier after beating Arlesey 2-0 on Saturday.

Their next game is on Boxing Day against a Hereford United Fans Trust side (3pm ko).

The match has been organised after league rivals Hereford were wound up after failing to find £1 million by last Friday, meaning Redditch were left without a big Christmas home fixture.

McDonald said: “It’s a tragedy that Hereford has been wound up but I am sure the fans will bounce back.

“They are a big club but it’s a warning to other clubs that they must plan properly instead of focusing on the short term.

“It could easily have happened to Redditch before Chris Swan took over the club.”

Meanwhile, Redditch are still hopeful of bringing in young striker Jordan Archer from Tividale.

McDonald also thanked the fans for their backing of him and his coaching staff Nicky Green and David Bridgwater.

The management team joined in the summer of 2013 and have turned United from perennial relegation battlers to a top five side.

He said: “I’d like to thank the fans for their support and their patience when we joined.

“They can see what we’re trying to do and I can genuinely say that I love it here at Redditch United.”