Harriers back in pre-season training

Kidderminster Harriers returned to pre-season training today with strong numbers to work from for the Blue Square Premier season ahead.

Manager Steve Burr and his new assistant Gary Whild led the way, with eight new signings and three contracted players making up the cornerstone of the squad.

Among the other faces were winger David McDermott, invited back to prove his fitness after an injury-plagued second season with Harriers last term, while defender Martin Riley was also present despite voicing his intention to leave the club, along with free-to-leave defender Gavin Caines.

There were a number of trial players on hand from outside the club headed by AFC Telford winger Matthew Blair, along with Wolves academy defender Paul McCone and Alvechurch midfielder Callum Gittings.

Three of last season's youth team are also being given chances to earn professional contracts with the club in last season's Young Player of the Year Joe Hull, striker Robert Thompson-Brown and Spanish-born winger Ruben Bover-Izquierdo.

And boss Burr was eager to put the players through their paces, working up to the season opener at York on August 14.

He said: "We have been really looking forward to getting in, obviously there is still a bit of work to be done to the squad but it's good to be back working with the players."