GARY Whild has started to rebuild his struggling Redditch side ahead of their relegation battle.

The Reds boss saw Matty Clarke and Scott Rickards quit the club before Christmas, leaving him with the bare minimum over the festive fixtures - he was able to include just two fit outfield players on the bench for the Boxing Day match with Moor Green.

Former skipper Clarke has linked up with Nationwide Conference North leaders Stafford Rangers while Rickards has returned to former club Tamworth.

But Whild has acted swiftly to make up the numbers. He has drafted in a number of former Valley Stadium favourites along with experienced midfielder Damien Whitcombe from Chasetown.

Veteran Sean Flynn has come out of retirement while Danny Scheppel has returned to the club following a brief spell with Hednesford Town.

Striker Rory May and defender Neil Manton - regulars for the Reds last season - also seem set for a return while Whild is hopeful of luring Jermaine Clarke to the club. The powerful striker played a number of games at the end of last year when on loan from Evesham United

The manager has yet to see his side win since taking charge three games ago. But he has been impressed by the spirit shown by his players.

"It is unfortunate that we have just one point from those games - we could easily have been sitting with nine points," Whild admitted following Monday's 2-1 defeat at Moor Green.

"We have proved in those three games that we are good enough to stay in this division.

"But when you are down players seem to accept that things don't go your way. It is up to Kim (Casey) and myself to change that attitude and make sure players don't accept these things.

"We have to start getting some results together and start climbing the league.

"The important thing at the moment is to bring a few bodies in. At least that creates a situation where you have competition for places.

"The lads that have come back know the set-up here and know what is expected.

"We are confident we can get out of this situation."

The Reds head to fellow strugglers Leigh RMI on Saturday hoping to avenge a 4-1 drubbing at the start of the season.

Whild will be able to call on defender Asa Charlton now that he has completed his four-game ban. But Joe Broad will be unavailable having been recalled by Walsall.