Matthew Blair set for England call

Kidderminster Harriers winger Matthew Blair was today relishing the prospect of his first England C cap in next week's International Challenge Trophy final.

Blair is expecting to be named in the squad to face Portugal at Northampton's Sixfields Stadium on Thursday night and, should he be involved, will get his chance at helping his country claim silverware in his first game at international level.

But his Harriers team-mate Jack Byrne, who has already been capped, was today waiting by the phone to see if he will make the final cut, along with right-back Lee Vaughan.

All three were named in the provisional 40-man squad for the game which will be whittled down shortly, as England look to regain the trophy they last won in 2006.

Harriers manager Steve Burr will be in the dugout as assistant boss to national coach Paul Fairclough, happy in the notion that things are ticking over nicely at Aggborough.

Burr has 11 contracted players for next season and has revealed he is already on the hunt for new signings, as the club look to build on a sixth-place finish in the Blue Square Premier.

Blair, Byrne and Vaughan were stars of that side and will again be available to the Harriers boss for next season.

He said: "What has been pleasing for me is that a number of the lads from the season just gone are staying with us, that's down to the fact that they all came in and worked hard to prove themselves.

"It's fairly busy time but there is a long, long way to go yet and we won't be rushing into anything, we don't need to.

"I'm speaking to a number of targets but, if we aren't able to get them on the terms that are right for the club, then we will move on and won't be losing any sleep over it."