Harriers boss wants goalkeeper battle

Kidderminster Harriers manager Steve Burr is expecting a battle for the goalkeeper's jersey at Aggborough after signing Dean Lyness.

The 19-year-old has signed a one-year deal after his release from Scottish Premier League club Hearts, where he has spent the last two seasons.

Lyness is based in Halesowen and came through the ranks at Birmingham, even making the substitutes bench for Blues in Championship fixtures.

The former England under-17 international was also a squad player at Hearts but failed to break through to the starting line-up and has still yet to make a competitive appearance.

Now Lyness faces another stiff challenge for first-team football at Aggborough in a two-way fight with Danny Lewis, last season's Player of the Year.

Burr released second choice Andrew Stevens to freshen up the goalkeeping ranks and the Harriers boss wants his replacement to push Lewis harder than ever.

The manager said: "It was a good in that respect last year because, although he didn't feature because of Danny's form, Andrew kept pushing him hard and ensured he was always on his toes.

"We'll look for that again, for both of these lads to spur one another on and it was important for us to find another goalkeeper who was prepared to come in feeling very determined and hungry.

"We're quite confident the deal will provide the kind of competition you need in all positions and we're looking forward to working with him."