Villa loanee Kevin Toner in for Harriers

Toner, the captain of Villa's Under-21 side, is highly thought of at the claret and blues and only signed a new deal in the summer.

The Irish youngster, 21, will now further his first-team education at Aggborough, with tomorrow's game with Lincoln City his first chance.

Harriers are still not sure whether defensive cohort Jordan Tunnicliffe will be available, having missed the last two games with a thigh injury.

But Gary Whild, the club's head of football operations, is optimistic he will be back for the visit of the Imps.

Luke Maxwell is missing as he serves the third and final game of his suspension, but Harriers have no other injury concerns as they look to record their first win of the season, at the 11th attempt.

Whild, who has been working on a severely-reduced playing budget this term and has a squad consisting largely of inexperienced, young players, admits hard work is the only remedy to the club's woes.

He said: "With such a young side we are lacking a bit in confidence at the moment and that is no surprise considering the results.

"I can't fault the players for their effort and the work-rate. We look a threat and we are scoring goals. It is just in the last few stages we are falling down. The only thing which will help that is time."

While Harriers have been rooted to the foot of the National League Premier table for most of the season to date, they have picked up some notable draws away to the likes of Gateshead, Tranmere and Halifax.

Whild said: "We should take confidence from that. If you look at the standings at the moment, just winning one of those games would have made all the difference to both our position and the general outlook.

"It is just a case of getting that first win on the board. When we do, I think you will confidence rise significantly and that will help performances too."