REDS number two Gary Whild says striker Lee Booth will be used sparingly until the end of the season now the club is confident of Dr Martens Western football next season.

Booth, a golden boot contender until his move from Stourport, has been playing with a neck injury for weeks after going over an advertising hoarding in a friendly against Feckenham.

And after an upturn in results, the Reds management team decided to rest the former Lye hitman after a return of one goal since his Valley move.

United's mini revival has given them an 11 point cushion over new bottom club Racing Club Warwick and, despite United's 2-0 loss to the Racers on Saturday, Whild is confident of staying up with only one team likely to be relegated.

The club confirmed Brendan Hackett has left to concentrate on increasing work commitments but said the former Stourport player-coach, who turned down the Swifts manager's job to follow Brown as a player, has been invited back in pre-season.

Booth is the only absentee for Saturday's trip to Bilston (ko 3pm).