REDDITCH United manager Gary Whild is ready to take a gamble on free-scoring Leamington striker Richard Adams.

And if the move for the 23-year-old succeeds, it could be good news for Reds' ace Craig Wilding who partnered Adams in their junior football days.

Adams has netted 20 goals for the Brakes already this season, his pace and eye for goal proving too much to handle for many of the defenders in the Midland Alliance.

And Whild believes the hotshot can make the step-up to the Conference North.

"He is a small and busy player around the final third and knows how to score goals," the Redditch manager explained.

"We have watched him a few times and he has a lot of pace. It would give us something extra."

Wilding has had six different strike partners this season with the latest, Jermaine Clarke, now facing a spell on the sidelines after the FA was called in to look into the player's contract problems with Evesham United.

Clarke has taken legal advice and seems unlikely to play until the situation has been resolved.

"It is all in the hands of the solicitors at the moment," Whild explained. "But from what I can gather, the FA are not happy with the way the contract has been conducted.

"The disappointing thing is that the lad just wants to be playing football and he cannot do that at the moment."

Evesham manager Dave Busst had hit out at the Redditch boss after the clubs failed to reach an agreement over the 21-year-old striker.

Whild included former Peterborough United defender Simon Rea in the team that lost out 1-0 at home to Stafford Rangers on Saturday after taking him on loan for a month from Nuneaton Borough.

The Reds' boss moved for the 29-year-old after surgeons decided to operate on Asa Charlton's knee.

"We don't know how long Asa will be out but you have to look at a month, anything less would be premature.

"We were fortunate to get Simon but he showed his experience against some powerful Stafford forwards.

"We have agreed on a month's loan but would be happy to keep him on board if the opportunity arose."

Whild has also approached Conference North rivals Worcester City about midfielder Jai Stanley. The former Moor Green favourite has been out of action with a long-tern injury and would come into contention as United prepare for tough matches at Harrogate Town on Saturday and at home to Hinckley United on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm).