Gavin Caines closer to Harriers exit

Kidderminster Harriers are hoping that outcast defender Gavin Caines will speed up his own departure in the coming weeks after leaving the club on trial.

Caines is available on a free transfer and would have been released this summer, but had a appearance-related clause in his contract which triggered an extra year's extension to his deal.

The Express & Star understands that the centre-half is hoping to earn a deal at Blue Square Premier new-boys Darlington, with sources close to the player revealing there has been dialogue with the Quakers, who are actively seeking defensive cover.

Harriers are desperate to move on the 26-year-old, who is a reasonably high earner at Aggborough, to free up room in the wage bill for their transfer targets ahead of the new season.

And manager Steve Burr is hoping Caines will do some of the work for him.

He said: "Gavin is out at the moment on trial and his agent has fixed it all up, so we will have to see what materialises with that. He knows he is free to go, I have told him that, and it would be a big help for us with his wages.

"Any lad who knows he is not in the manager's plans would want to go, but who is going to pay the money he is on?"

Harriers are putting the finishing touches to their squad for the season ahead, with a left-back and a striker left on Burr's shopping list.

A frontman is where the manager has earmarked most of his remaining resources, depending on the situation with Caines, with new signing Mike Williams able to play in central defence and on the left if needed.

But Burr has not ruled out signing any one of the three specialist left-backs currently on trial at Aggborough with Stuart Giddings, Josh Quaynor and Connor Franklin bidding to earn contracts.

He said: "With Mike coming in and having to operate with a small squad, there may be other areas that we need to look at, knowing we have a player that can play in that position.

"But the three lads are very much still trialing at the moment and, in the next week or so, we are going to have to make some decisions."

The Harriers boss also confirmed summer signing Keith Briggs will be his new captain for next season.