Jamille Matt granted leave by Harriers

Kidderminster Harriers striker Jamille Matt was today away from Aggborough after being granted a leave of absence to deal with "personal issues."

Highly-rated Matt, the subject of three failed bids from Football League club Northampton at the end of last year, could miss Friday's visit of Fleetwood.

Harriers refused to comment on the cause of the 22-year-old's problems but will allow him to stay away from the club for an "extended period."

Chairman Mark Serrell added : "Jamille takes leave with our backing and I would like to ask that everybody respects his privacy during this time."

Matt missed last Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Barrow with a back injury, which forced him to pull out of the England C squad at the start of last week.

That denied him his international debut but he was carrying the injury going onto the match at Bath City two days earlier, going off after an hour.

His strike partner that day, Anthony Malbon, was today tipped to be another "big asset" going forward for Harriers by manager Steve Burr.

A second goal for the club was the bright spot against Barrow for Malbon, who moved from part-timers Newcastle Town for £7,000 last month.

Burr said: "His goal was a fantastic strike and you can see the progression he is making.

"Anthony makes chances for himself - the goal was a real striker's goal because it came out of nothing, he saw an opening and stuck it away.

"He could quite easily have had three last Saturday and that just shows that he is already a very good player, who will go on to be a really big asset.

"He's made a very big step up, as have Marvin Johnson and Ryan Rowe, and we can only give them the opportunity.

"It's down to them to take it, but I am sure they will be players who help us to success in the future."