REDDITCH United chairman Chris Swan says he wants to have a new manager in place by Boxing Day.

United parted company with Darren Byfield following a 2-2 home draw with St Neots that left the Reds off the pace in 12th place in the Southern Premier League.

Swan was hopeful of having a new boss in place for Boxing Day's game with neighbours Stratford Town after interviewing a shortlist of three potential replacements this week.

Reds now face a crucial festive period as they look to cut the gap to the top five.

They are set to take on Weymouth away this Saturday and Stratford at the Trico on Boxing Day before heading to Hereford on New Year's Day.

Swan said: "This Christmas period is going to be very important for us.

"We are playing clubs currently above us in the league as well as a very tough game against a good Stratford side.

"It's important we do well so we can start to look ahead again going into the new year.

"We are pleased to have had a lot of interest for the job from some really strong candidates.

"The target for the new manager will be to try and get us in the play-offs this season. We have some very good players at the club and more than enough resources.

"We had picked up eight points from a possible 30 recently. That is relegation form and something we need to turn around."

Redditch have been temporarily managed by skipper Danny Jackman following Byfield's departure.

Swan was more than happy to let the skipper take control until the new man was found, adding: "We want to work with Danny over the next couple of years because he is potentially a manager of this club in the future. We want to help him towards that. He was the perfect man to step in."