Kidderminster manager Mark Yates believes a new striker is the missing piece in the Harriers jigsaw as he puts the finishing touches to the squad at Aggborough.

The search goes on for Matthew Barnes-Homer’s future partner in attack, with the clock ticking before the Blue Square Premier opener at home to Hayes & Yeading on Saturday.

Harriers do have options while they wait, with Chris McPhee – named captain for the season yesterday – along with Darryl Knights and Brian Smikle among those able to fill the breach, while new signing Aaron Farrell is also hoping to break through.

But the manager will not settle for just anybody, having already ruled out a move for former Aggborough star Lee Hughes and allowed trial striker Rob Elvins to come and go this summer.

And Yates does have a long-standing target and a back-up in mind, where he has placed all of his focus after strengthening the other bases in the squad.

He said: “We are a striker short, we know that. There are a couple of things that we are waiting on and we just have to be patient. We have tried and tried, it’s not happening at the moment but that could change.

“There is one we want in particular, if that doesn’t come off we have another in mind.”

The manager turns his attentions to firepower after putting the finishing touches to his defence this week, with Gavin Caines, Liam Dolman and goalkeeper Jasbir Singh all signed for the season ahead.

Former Shrewsbury youngster Singh may have only signed a short-term deal, but he insists he is coming in to keep current No 1 Dean Coleman “on his toes.”

Centre-halves Caines and Dolman have both been given one-year deals, after their release from Cheltenham and Northampton respectively this summer.

Both bring a wealth of experience, with former Walsall youngster Caines making 143 appearances in five years at Whaddon Road, while homegrown product Dolman has made 45 appearances for the Cobblers since 2005.

Yates believes they will bring much to his side.

He said: “These two guys are experienced, League One defenders. They will bring a smattering of experience and, along with Duane Courtney, there is a lot of know-how from a much higher level across our back-line.

“Duane can play anywhere across the back, Liam can play at right-back, Gavin is a great centre-half and we already had Martin Riley who is a composed player, not to mention Lee Baker at left-back and Tom Sharpe in reserve.

“We maybe don’t have a Mark Creighton and the way he could head the ball away, but not many teams have.”