Danny Lewis fights for Harriers place

Kidderminster Harriers goalkeeper Danny Lewis today admitted he expects a battle with Dean Lyness to reclaim the No 1 spot at Aggborough.

Non-contract custodian Tony Breeden, who finished the just-gone season with the goalkeeper's jersey, is not expected back for the next campaign.

That enables Lewis, Player of the Year in 2010-11, or Lyness, who has been 're-engaged' on a one-year deal, to get back between the sticks.

Lewis, 29, is just coming back from eight months out after snapping his anterior cruciate ligament before a game at Kettering last October.

Lyness filled the breach but suffered from a dip in form along with the team - who won just once in their next seven games - which cost him his place.

Breeden arrived in November and stayed until the end of the campaign but it's not him that's being retained with Lyness, 20, landing new terms.

With that in mind, Lewis won't be taking his place for granted as he battles back to fitness.

He said: "Dean is going to push me, I am going to push him as well and that's what you want at a football club.

"He was a bit unfortunate last year as he came in during a bad spell for the team, but he's a young lad.

"He's one of the best trainers I have ever seen and, come four or five years, he will be a very good goalkeeper.

"You get better with age as a goalkeeper and you learn from your mistakes. I remember when I was that age!"

Lewis starts pre-season training at Harriers and feels, through his rehabilitation, he's in "better shape" than ever.

He said: "I am looking forward to pre-season training and I can't wait just to be part of the team again, as it's horrible being injured.

"I just want to get the rustiness out of me before the season starts, fingers crossed I can carry on from where I left off.

"I am probably 90 to 95 per cent fit, at the moment, and I am able to go to the gym and run five miles every day.

"But I feel at the peak of my fitness, even now, I can't remember being in better shape.

"This injury has made me appreciate football - I hadn't missed a game in seven years before that."