Yates urge for Harriers firing squad

Kidderminster manager Mark Yates is urging his squad to play their way into his thoughts when the time comes to pick the team for the first game of the season against Lewes on August 9.

For now, the Harriers' pre-season preparations are in full swing, with another pre-season friendly against Blue Square North side Stafford Rangers at Marston Road tonight (7:45pm).

With some decisions expected to be made on trial players at the club in "the next couple of days," no one can miss a chance to impress the boss, contracted to the club or not.

He said: "It is a good situation to be in as a manager. The trial players at the club are playing for a contract and the other boys want to be in my mind for the first game of the season.

"For most of them, all they need to do is keep up the hard work and carry on putting the effort in. Players at their peak battling for a place is a problem I certainly don't mind having."

Yates' men returned from Devon on Saturday having competed in the Errea South West Challenge Cup, losing their first game against Yeovil before beating Barnstaple 3-1 on Friday.

This was not enough to get them past the group stages, so it was back to Worcestershire, which suited the manager well enough.

He said: "It was never about winning the cup or anything like that. It was about getting the players away and getting another couple of games under their belts. From that perspective, it was a worthwhile exercise."

The Harriers are expected to field a strong side tonight, with a fully fit squad to choose from.