WORCESTER Raiders could be back at Claines Lane as early as January – albeit with temporary changing facilities.

Committee member Stephen Harris revealed building work is set to resume on January 7 with the entire project scheduled to be complete by March 31 – six months after landowners and site managers Worcestershire FA had initially targeted.

It is welcome news on the back of Raiders putting in place a 100-seater stand in preparation for the overdue homecoming.

In July the county association said delays had not been down to funding but it has since asked Worcester City Council for a £750,000 loan to complete renovation works which includes a 3G pitch, floodlights and new changing and office facilities at what will become its new headquarters.

A decision on that cash is set to be made tonight (Tuesday) by the council’s Policy and Resources Committee.

READ MORE | Council set to help Worcestershire FA with £750,000 loan for Claines Lane development

Worcestershire FA is understood to be in the process of vacating its premises in Hampton Lovett, renting temporary office space at Brindley Court, Worcester.

“We’ve not really had any explanations as such, all we have been told is that the delays have been sorted,” said Harris.

“From what we have seen in the paper there is a loan and that will probably sort things out.

“The entire project should be finished by March 31 but we may well put some bits in over the next few weeks or after January to get back there sooner rather than later.

“The stands and light are in and if we can get temporary accommodation in by say January then we will look to play there. There is potential for us to move back this season.

“We want to get back there and bring in the crowds as soon as possible, without a doubt.”

There is also uncertainty over Worcester City’s potential move to the site with Harris confirming Raiders had found out about those talks through reports in the Worcester News.

READ MORE | City's Sixways option gone - now to Claines Lane? 

READ MORE | Explained - How Warriors plan to bring football to Sixways

When they approached Worcestershire FA on the matter, Harris said Raiders had been told that “nothing is official yet and that they couldn’t confirm anything at the time”.

“It is positive at the moment,” said Harris.

“The ground is going to get built but what happens in the future is anyone’s guess. I don’t think Worcestershire FA are sure what Worcester City want to do.

“It is out of our hands really, we are just concentrating on what happens to us.”