Harriers midfielder returns
Kidderminster midfielder Simon Russell is poised to make his long-awaited comeback against Blue Square Premier big boys Oxford tomorrow.
The Harriers playmaker has been struggling all season with a knee injury but he has been declared fit to figure at Aggborough tomorrow.
The 22-year-old is unlikely to start after his long absence, but he is delighted just to be back in the frame.
"I'm very relieved to have hopefully come out of it the right side but it's been a frustrating time," Russell told the club's website.
"I'm sure Fozzy (physio Ian Foster) is just as happy because I've probably annoyed him over the past four months with my moaning and complaining.
"Obviously now my general fitness will need some work but it's not too bad. I feel quite good.
"I've watched all of the games and I think I can bring something to the team. It's my job as a wide player to create things, to make goals and hopefully score a few, too.
"So I just want to build on what I did last season. Hopefully I can do that.
"It will be a challenge given the amount of time I've missed, but it's a challenge I'm ready for."
Russell, who is the club's longest-serving player, has now set about convincing manager Mark Yates that he is ready to figure tomorrow.
Russell said: "I usual do okay against Oxford – normally at their ground though.
"It would be great to be involved and I'm just working hard this week to show the manager that I'm up to being involved, maybe a space on the bench.
"If he thinks maybe next week, then fair enough, it's been a while, but I'll be trying to be back into the team and create something."
Scott Bevan is also set to return after missing most of the season with persistent thigh problems.
He is in line to return after Chris MacKenzie returned to Shrewsbury after two months on loan.
"The worst thing that can happen to a footballer is to be out injured for a long period of time," said Bevan.
"Every time I've watched the lads in training I found it very tough not to be working with them.
"When I first had the injury I thought I'd be out for just a week, but I kept injuring myself every time I tried to rush back.
"But in the last week I've been able to train and kick the ball."
