expressandstar.com

Manager Mark Yates insists a refreshed Kidderminster Harriers team will show no fear of the ultimate challenge presented by runaway league leaders Oxford at Aggborough.

The visitors come to town tomorrow (3pm) on a tear at the top of the division, having rampaged into an eight point lead on the back of one defeat in 18 games.

By contrast, Harriers haven’t played in a fortnight after being dumped out of the FA Cup, and are aiming to arrest a mini-slide of no win in three games.

But Yates has warned their illustrious opponents to underestimate his players at their peril.

He said: “We are looking forward to the challenge, these are the games people want to play in – against the top teams in front of a big crowd.

“On the pitch it’s a big test for us, but not one we are frightened of at all. The lads have been geed up and are raring to go, so we have every intention of going out there and getting three points.”

Harriers will line up against their former captain Mark Creighton for the first time, after his switch to Oxford in the summer.

Yates remains close to his ex-skipper, but insists it will be all business tomorrow.

He said: “Mark was my captain, a really popular figure in the dressing room and was brilliant for us over a three-year period, a real rock at the back. I have still got a really good relationship with him and he’s a top man in my eyes.

“But the bottom line is he is not here anymore and things move on.”

Fully fit squad, McPhee last game of suspension, Benno skipper, Baker one left after this.