Vale just another exercise for Yates
Kidderminster Harriers manager Mark Yates has told his players to treat the final pre-season game against Port Vale like any other friendly.
Harriers welcome the League Two side to Aggborough tomorrow (3pm), still unbeaten in their seven close season fixtures so far.
The manager has tinkered with his side throughout the schedule, mainly to have a proper look at a number of trialists the club have taken on but - with a good number of those wilted down - the onus is now on fitness, ahead of the big kick-off at home to Hayes & Yeading next Saturday.
Yates sees the visit off Vale as another test of legs, rather than a must-win game.
He said: "You don't read anything into pre-season, it's about getting the players up to the level required for that opening day of the season, getting them working hard and passing the ball. That is all we want to get out of the game.
"So don't read anything into anything, it's just a friendly."
The Harriers boss must decide whether to give John Finnegan a debut after he signed from Cheltenham this week, with the 33-year-old lacking in game time after being left out in the cold at his former club.
It is likely that he will play some part, but Yates will wrap his newest capture in cotton wool for now.
He said: "We will see how he is, he's been with the physio for a couple of days and we won't rush anything with him. John is a little bit behind the others as he has not played in pre-season at Cheltenham, so he has a bit of catching up to do.
"Maybe he will start, maybe he will come on as a sub, we will have to see where we are."
Harriers striker Matthew Barnes-Homer is a major doubt after taking a knock in training, while trial striker Jonathan Nanizaymo is set for another run-out.
