Steve Guinan has a plan at Harriers

Kidderminster Harriers striker Steve Guinan believes taking it one step at a time will be key for him to be firing on all cylinders in the Blue Square Premier this season.

The 35-year-old is in contention to start in the opening match of the campaign at home to Gateshead on Saturday, in what will be his 18th season as a footballer.

Guinan is already preparing for life after he hangs up his boots, having taken a job as football academy manager at Hartpury College in Gloucestershire, a post he took up in January.

But the veteran will be spending this season with Harriers, having signed a one-year deal following his release from league rivals Forest Green Rovers in the summer.

The switch to Aggborough is a local move for the Birmingham-born forward, who is now based in Worcester after living in Dudley for four years, while his parents live in Stourbridge.

And Guinan will be looking to do what his body tells me to get the best out of himself this season, having nudged past the 100 career goals mark.

As the oldest player on the books, the deadly marksman insists experience is what will count.

He said: "I am not going to be at Kidderminster training every single day, but I don't need to.

"Sometimes on a Monday, I will have a few aching joints and bones and I need that extra day of recovery.

"The job at Hartpury College helps me, in that respect, because I am still out on the field every day coaching.

"I have spoken to a few people in the game about it, I still speak to Keith Downing at Albion and I know Pat Mountain and Steve Weaver at Wolves.

"They told me that, with older players, managers pull them out of training on certain days to actively recover and that's where I am following suit.

"I am not going to play forever and I know that, my playing career will ultimately finish over the next few years but I still do offer a lot.

"I haven't set myself any milestones to retire, I will know when it's time. At the moment, the belief is there that I can still do a good job."