Troops have spent a relaxing Christmas at home – knowing they face the prospect of being sent to Afghanistan within weeks.
Soldiers from Second Battalion, Royal Anglian Regiment, have been told they are the next in line to be deployed to the war zone should more personnel be needed in the next three months.
Servicemen from the regiment's B Company, which recruits from Leicestershire, came home on December 22 to spend Christmas with family.
Private Kyle Barratt, 21, from Saffron Lane, Leicester, said he had enjoyed being home to see his fiancee Shauna Bone, 19, and their one-year-old daughter Eva.
He said: "It's been really nice. I've been chilling out with them, enjoying my time off and trying not to think about where I might be in a few weeks time.
"They are a bit nervous because they know it could be dangerous should we get sent to Afghanistan but I'm looking forward to it."
Private Scott Rossington, 20, from Netherhall, Leicester, spent Christmas with his mum Shirley.
He said: "It's been really relaxing being home for a few days and catching up with some mates.
"My mum worries about me going back but that is what mums do.
"We'll be fine, though. It's not a drama."
Private Tom Ward, 18, from Mountsorrel, joined B company, known as The Poachers, 10 months ago. He said: "I'm really enjoying being back home because I get to spend some time with my girlfriend Alex.
"There's no point worrying about where we might be end up. We'll just have to deal with that when or if it happens."
Readiness Stage One means when the soldiers return to duty in early January they could find themselves on the ground in Afghanistan within 72 hours of a mobilisation order.
Yesterday, eight B Company soldiers were given free tickets and lunch by Leicester City when they invited them to watch the Blue Army's home game against Leeds United.
One of them was Lieutenant Tom Aspinall, 26, from Ratby.
He said: "It would be naive to think it will not be dangerous if we are sent to Afghanistan. We are under no illusions about what it will be like – but the Taliban are on the back foot.
"It is frustrating being in reserve. "It's like a footballer who only ever sits on the bench and never gets to play.
"We're very grateful to Leicester City for looking after us and to members of the public who tell us how much they appreciate what we are doing."
A spokesman for Leicester City said: "We are delighted to be able to do something for the Anglians to help them enjoy their Christmas leave.
"We would like to wish them well in the future."
The club will host a further eight soldiers from B company for the home game against Swansea on January 3.
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