Harriers losing patience with Smikle

Kidderminster Harriers are running out of patience with top scorer Brian Smikle and have warned there is a time-frame on his new contract offer.

The 13-goal winger is the only member from last season's squad to be confirmed as receiving the chance of a new deal, with the club acting last month in a plan to get him tied up early.

But nearly five weeks on and Harriers have not received any word on whether the former Albion youngster plans to stay at Aggborough for a fifth term, with a Football League club known to be in the hunt for his services.

Now manager Steve Burr has broken his silence on the frustrations surrounding the jewel in the crown, having acted right in showing his hand Smikle before the season had even ended.

And the Harriers boss is also warning that the Player of the Year is running the risk of leaving himself empty handed.

He said: "We're a little bit disappointed that his agent hasn't come back to us with an answer, as we were supposed to be getting a call.

"I understand that there is a league club interested in signing Brian, but we put a deal to him some time ago and, whilst we are prepared to wait at the minute, obviously we cannot wait forever.

"If we have to move on, then I need to know the situation. The lad has ambition to play in the league and we hope that comes through for him, but we cannot be waiting as a back-up if that doesn't come to fruition.

"We made our move well before the end of the season, so we just need to know where we are."