REDDITCH United boss Graham Hyde believes vastly-experienced defender Gavin Caines will give the Southern League Premier outfit a boost

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REDDITCH United boss Graham Hyde believes vastly-experienced defender Gavin Caines will give the Southern League Premier outfit a boost.

The 28-year-old bolstered Reds’s defensive options when he signed from Conference North side Eastwood Town on a month’s loan.

Caines has a wealth of experience in the Football League and Conference Premier, plying his trade for Walsall, Cheltenham, Kidderminster Harriers, Luton and Forest Green Rovers.

He played a big part in Cheltenham’s promotion from to League One in the 2006-07 season and helped to guide Kidderminster to the FA Trophy semi-final in the 2009-10 season.

The Birmingham-born centre back is United’s third new addition of the January transfer window, with exciting midfield prospect Jack Cresswell coming on loan from Harriers and Walsall defender Daniel Cresswell coming on board a fortnight ago.

“I’m a very happy with the work we’ve done to bring players in,” commented Hyde.

“Daniel [Cresswell] had a baptism of fire against Hitchin but he will only use that to get even better.

“Jack [Cresswell] is a player who is very highly rated at Kidderminster Harriers, he’s looked good in training as well and hopefully can add something to us.

“We’ve also brought in Gavin [Caines], who is an extremely experienced player, who will only help the young players we’ve got at the club.

“He’s had a hamstring problem but hopefully he will come through training okay and be ready to make his debut on Saturday.”

While Hyde may also wish to bring in a replacement for promising on-loan Walsall midfielder Jake Jones, whose stay at the Valley Stadium comes to an end on Saturday, February 4, he has completed his mid-season squad strengthening.

Caines is set to debut in Saturday’s league clash at second from bottom Cirencester (3pm kick-off).

Right-back Tesfa Robinson may also come into the side after returning to training last week, while injured duo Tom Warmer (ankle) and Alex Hickman (ankle) are still doubts.

“Cirencester are in a precarious position and we will want to go there and win the game,” added the Reds boss.

“It’s going to be a real fight, they will scrap for everything to make up for the quality they lack in some areas and we’re going to be prepared for a tough game.

“I want us to get to between 43 and 45 points to make sure we are safe and if we can do that with 10 or so games left, we’ll look to see what we can do after that.”

Meanwhile, Redditch have re-arranged Saturday’s abandoned league clash with St Albans for Tuesday, January 31 (7.45pm kick-off). The game was called off by the referee because of a frozen pitch.