Harriers line up Championship signing

The club continue to keep their cards close to their chest until the deal is done, but the Express & Star can confirm that a deal for a highly-rated youngster from football's second tier should be completed in time to make his debut at the Abbey Stadium tomorrow (3pm).

Manager Mark Yates' hand has been forced by the suspension of regular left-back Lee Baker for three games, after the 20-year-old was sent off in the FA Cup replay defeat at Fleetwood on Tuesday night.

But the Harriers boss will be able to welcome back striker Robbie Matthews for the trip, who returns after a three-match ban.

With two games still to run on captain Chris McPhee's suspension, Yates is set to pitch the big forward straight back in alongside Matthew Barnes-Homer in attack.

The manager said: "There is every chance Robbie will start, we have missed him and missed his presence. Him and Barnes-Homer were starting to build up a good partnership, so that will be in my thoughts.

"It's a big boost, especially without McPhee available. Our small squad has been stretched."

McPhee will again watch as a frustrated spectator as he did at Fleetwood, after a contentious red card in the first game last Saturday.

But the skipper believes the return of Matthews is just what Harriers need to fill the breach.

He said: "Hopefully Robbie's return can ease the pressure from my suspension, he could go straight in alongside Matthew and then we have two up top again. He is a big player for us, I have been a fan of his long before either of us came of the club.

"Hopefully now he can go on and do the business for us."

Yates takes his players to face a Cambridge side currently faltering in 10th place, but still just three points behind Harriers in seventh.

He said: "Every game in this league is tough and tomorrow will be no different. Cambridge have a good manager, players and are a top club at this level.

"But we are not set up to sit back and just let teams dominate us, so we will try and get on the front foot."