McPhee dilemma for Harriers boss

The Aggborough men can call upon their skipper after a three-match ban for tomorrow's match at Rockingham Road, but it's the first game after the performance of the season so far handed table-toppers Oxford only their second league defeat last Saturday.

For McPhee to make way, someone will have to make way from that team - with Bennett the one who took his place and the armband after a red card in the FA Cup.

But the replacement will not way, Yates insists, leaving Darryl Knights or even possibly England C matchwinner Matthew Barnes-Homer - who endured a long trek to Poland and back this week - facing the chop.

The manager said: "It's a tough one, I have got a big decision to make and if Chris does start it's tough on somebody, but he has been arguably one of our best players this season. I have spoken to him already and I don't think he expects to go back into the team, so it just proves that the boys want to do things right.

"Dean will play on Saturday, without a shadow of a doubt, so it won't be him making way. I have got a few things in mind but Chris is my captain and has been great for us ever since he has been here.

"I have got a dilemma, but it's a nice problem to have."

Harriers face a Kettering team under new management in player/manager Lee Harper, who replaced new Peterborough boss and Yates' friend Mark Cooper this week.

The Aggborough boss said: "Mark is a tough act to follow. It's up to us to go there and ruin his first game as manager, but it's always a tough place to go and they won't make it easy for us.

"Lee has been a big part of their success in recent years so he knows what it is about, and we have just got to make sure we turn up on the day.

"It's about time we kept the standards high, put a run together and kicked on through the winter. That should be our goal."

Left-back Lee Baker sits out the last of a three-match ban for an otherwise full strength Harriers.