John Finnigan leaves Harriers

Kidderminster Harriers player-coach John Finnigan has left the club by mutual consent after having the remainder of his contract cancelled.

The 34-year-old had yet to play this season due to a long-standing calf injury, which first reared it's head last year and restricted him to 16 appearances last season.

Behind the scenes, the midfielder had become a popular figure since joining on a two-year deal from Cheltenham in 2008.

Finnigan even managed the club in a caretaker capacity when Mark Yates left the club last December and served as assistant to new boss Steve Burr when he took over in January, before reverting to player-coach in the summer.

But the former Lincoln and Cheltenham captain will not hang up his boots just yet, instead will focus on curing his injury woes once and for all.

If that goal cannot be achieved then, and only then, will Finnigan call it a day.

He said: "The most frustrating thing for me is that it has been one set-back after another, really.

"If you break your leg or have a serious injury and someone tells you 'you're finished,' at least you know where you are.

"But I have come close to getting back to full fitness on more than one occasion only for something to flare up again.

"A break at the moment is probably what I need. Maybe I can get myself fit I wouldn't rule out playing again at all and I am going to carry on with a rehab programme.

"But it's a chance for me to take a break and see how things develop."