Pivotal fortnight ahead for Harriers

The club welcome back their squad in 12 days to start training for the 2009/10 campaign and there is plenty for the Harriers boss to do, with only three contracted players currently on the books.

But he rates as "positive" that goalkeeper Dean Coleman, winger David McDermott and midfielder Dean Bennett will sign for next season - doubling his workforce if that comes to pass.

Striker Matthew Barnes-Homer will also join them if the Aggborough outfit continue to repel the overtures of Oxford, who confirmed their interest in the 21-goal hitman this week.

But the U's don't want to pay the compensation fee Harriers are entitled to as the player is under 24, which their manager Chris Wilder admits "may be a problem."

Yates won't play ball otherwise, as he readies himself to get busy in the days and weeks ahead.

He said: "At the moment we are continuing to wait, a lot of players are still weighing up their options and that is their prerogative.

"But I would expect a lot is going to happen in the next two weeks, leading up to when we come back for pre-season."

The manager is also looking to tap into the wave of players looking to get fixed up for next season after being released, with clubs tightening their belts in the wake of football's recession.

This bore fruit for Harriers last summer as the likes of McDermott, Martin Riley, Keith Lowe and Martin Brittain all signed contracts and played a part in the season ahead.

Yates is hoping that opening his door to the free agents can again reap dividends again.

He said: "There will be a number of trialists when we come back for training, but we should have a good few more players signed up by then.

"I am confident that will be the case."

The Harriers boss is less hopeful of bringing back goalkeeper Adam Bartlett for next season after his summer release.

He is expected to sign for another club in the next week or so.

Yates said: "We have tried all we can and I don't think Adam will be coming back for next season."