Finnigan set to return for Harriers

Kidderminster Harriers midfielder John Finnigan could come straight back into the starting line-up at Gateshead after a month out with a calf injury.

The club's assistant manager is standing by to replace Dean Bennett, who is a doubt after picking up a knock in last night's 1-0 defeat at Barrow, and will be involved with a matchday squad tomorrow for the first time since going down against Ebbsfleet on March 2.

Harriers are also hoping to welcome back captain Chris McPhee and top scorer Brian Smikle for the trip, after the skipper pulled out with flu while the 12-goal winger had an ankle injury.

Both will be assessed by physio Gavin Crowe at Aggborough today, along with Bennett and David McDermott, who was stretchered off after being clattered last night.

Manager Steve Burr said: "We thought David had perhaps broke his ankle at first but there's no break."

A disappointing defeat for Harriers on the road some 180-miles away from home made it a long journey back from Cumbria in the early hours of this morning, after Phil Bolland's deflected early goal consigned the visitors to defeat.

Now comes another arduous trek to relegation-threatened opposition even further away with a 460-mile round trip to Gateshead, and Burr is expecting another tough test.

He said: "We have to pick ourselves up, that is all we can do. It will be another tough one for us as well, it's not going to be any easier than it was at Barrow because they are both sides fighting for their lives.

"For us, we will just keep going to try and squeeze as much out of these lads as we can until the end of the season."