Bennett to join the Reds fight (From Redditch Advertiser)

Bennett to join the Reds fight

5:29pm Wednesday 30th January 2013 in Sport

MANAGER Simon Redhead wants players who have the desire and knowledge to rescue Redditch United from their relegation battle.

Redhead has added some much-needed experience to the centre of the park by drafting in former Wrexham, Chester City, Kidderminster Harriers midfielder Dean Bennett this week.

The 34-year-old was snapped up by Redhead after he was released by Blue Square Bet North outfit Solihull Moors and is set to go straight into the team for Saturday’s home clash against St Neots in Southern League Premier Division (3pm ko).

With the Reds second-from-bottom in the table and with half their games to be played in a short space of time after two months of fixture disruption, United urgently need to pick up points.

With a one-in and one-out policy transfer, Redhead confirmed he would have to release one of the current squad to make way for Bennett.

“I’ve said before we need to change the squad,” said Redhead.

“We need grafters, people who will roll up their sleeves and dig in to make sure we get out of this situation.

“At the moment I don’t think we’ve got that mindset, or the experience, so we need to change that.”

In recent weeks, Redhead has tried to re-shape his squad, with Zac Costello joining and Danny Edwards on-loan from Worcester.

Redhead said: “Dean is an experienced midfielder who brings something we don’t have at the moment.

“We’ve also got Danny Edwards but he can be called back by Worcester at any time.

“I would be happy if he stayed for longer but at the moment a new striker is the top of my list of priorities.”

United will be hoping to record their first league double of the season when they entertain mid-table St Neots on Saturday (3pm ko).

The club are hopeful the match will go ahead after all the snow was cleared off the playing surface at The Valley Stadium, after their last two matches against Arlesey and Bideford were postponed.

United then go to Conference Premier play-off hopefuls Kidderminster next Tuesday in the Worcestershire Senior Cup (7.30pm ko).

“The players have been going to the gym and keeping fit but we’ve not been able to train because of the snow,” added Redhead.

“But we’ll train Tuesday night and have a good session on Thursday.

“We’ve beaten St Neots once and it would be nice to kick-start the season with another.”