REDDITCH United boss Darren Byfield is working to bring a forward to the club after Vinny Mukendi was ruled out for the season.

Byfield is looking to make a loan signing this week after scans revealed the extend of Mukendi's knee injury.

Striker Spencer Weir-Daly is now edging back towards full fitness and made the bench against Merthyr Town at the weekend, but the Reds remain too reliant on top scorer Dior Angus.

Byfield said: "It is a big blow to lose Vinny Mukendi but we feared that was the case.

"I'm hopefully going to be able to loan a striker as well as have a look at a few trialists in training this week."

The need for more firepower was underlined as United slipped further off the play-off places after Merthyr snatched a late leveller on Saturday.

Substitute Kyle Copp converted by scoring direct from an 89th minute free kick to leave the clash all square at 1-1.

Merthyr had been much the better side during first half exchanges but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.

Reds goalkeeper Ethan Ross dived full stretch to turn a wicked Ian Traynor cross off the head of Kerry Morgan when the Welsh marksman looked set to score.

United were more impressive after the break and rocked their visitors on 83 minutes when Kevin Da Veiga Monteiro stole in at the far post to slot home a defence splitting cross from Danico Johnson.

However, Merthyr replied with just a minute remaining when Copp's low raking free kick evaded everyone in a packed Reds goalmouth to finish up in the far corner of the net.

Byfield said: "At the end of the game I was very frustrated, mainly because of the way the goal went in.

"I don't think it was free-kick and then it was a poor goal to concede. When you score late-on you then want to see it out.

"Once the dust settled I think a draw was a fair result. They were better in the first half but we got a foothold in the second."

Redditch are due to face Stratford Town in the Challenge Cup on Tuesday night before this Saturday's trip to Tiverton, who sit one place and one point ahead of Byfield's charges.

"We do want to get back to winning ways as soon as we can but we have to consider the teams we have played recently.

"We have picked up what could prove to be good points.

"Our aim is to stay with the pack into the new year and really give it a go from there."

Despite Mukendi's injury blow, Redditch could welcome back midfielder Arjun Jung and defenders Jack Coates and Lewis Wright.