REDDITCH United boss Darren Byfield says his best Christmas present this year will be the chance to work with his players on the training field.

The Reds struggle to train each week because they have an allocated slot on the artificial pitch at the Valley Stadium. When they have a mid-week fixture it will often mean the chance to train is lost.

However, with the facility free over the festive period, it will mean Byfield will finally have the chance to work closely with his troops ahead of Boxing Day’s home clash with Banbury United.

Byfield said: “The players are exceeding all expectations, especially give the fact they don’t train and are only working from a tactics board.

“If we could train each week and I could work closely with them I think we’d be flying.

“I really believe we’d be higher up the league and have much more tactical nous.

“My best Christmas present this year will be finally getting to spend time with them on and working with them on the training pitch.

“We will be in on Christmas eve and I’m really looking forward to it.

“The players have done brilliantly when you take that into consideration.”

After speaking to chairman Chris Swan, Byfield says the issue will be resolved next season. However, they will just need to work around the current arrangement for the rest of this campaign.

The Reds returned to winning was last Saturday with a 1-0 victory at Basingstoke.

The secured a valuable three points courtesy of Reece Hales’s first-half strike and a penalty save from Brad Catlow 20 minutes from time.

Reds gradually grew in confidence during the first half and began to push back the hosts with Dior Angus drawing a strong stop from home keeper Alex Tokarczyk.

United were not to be denied though and took the lead on 27 minutes when Luke Keen held up well on the edge of the box and played in Hales to finish inside Tokarczyk’s far post.

Basingstoke’s Nana Owusu was denied by Catlow while Ahmed Ali was thwarted at the other end as fans enjoyed an open end to the first half.

Owusu continued to be the thorn in Redditch’s stride, fizzing a shot just past the post on the hour before drawing a foul in the box from Eli Bako. But Aaron Jarvis went down the middle and Catlow saved the spot-kick with his legs.