Mark Yates believes opportunity could knock for some of his fringe players as the Kidderminster Harriers manager prepares to shuffle his pack.

The team head to lower league minnows Matlock on Saturday to start their FA Trophy campaign and will make one change for sure, with defender Martin Riley suspended after picking his fifth yellow card of the season in the 2-0 defeat at Stevenage.

Tom Sharpe and Liam Dolman are the obvious candidates to replace him and the former will be desperate for game time, after just one start since signing from Nottingham Forest in the summer.

But the 20-year-old is highly thought of at Aggborough despite his current standing and Yates admits the youngster is in contention to start the tie.

The manager said: “I have got a squad and I will no doubt have to use some of them at the weekend. Tom is a good player and unfortunately he has had to be a bit of a backup so far, but if he gets his chance on Saturday it’s up to him to take it with both hands.

“I am sure he would do well for himself if he come in. The lad can take encouragement in other examples that have come before him. That goes for anybody, the door is not closed on any of my squad even if they haven’t played as many games as they would like.

“Things change in football.”