New signing set for Harriers debut

Kidderminster Harriers new signing Ollie Thorne could make a full debut in Saturday's game at Altrincham after his transfer deadline day move.

Harriers moved late yesterday afternoon to bring in the central defender from Blue Square Premier rivals Newport County, with the player putting pen to paper before the 6pm deadline.

And the 20-year-old could be in team to face the bottom club at Moss Lane on Saturday, with Mark Albrighton serving a one-match ban and Tom Sharpe struggling after a blow to the head.

Albrighton was sent off for a second booking in Monday's 2-2 draw with Tamworth, a game Sharpe missed after being clattered in last Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Newport.

That left manager Steve Burr with a void to fill in the squad, with Michael Briscoe the only out-and-out central defender available and utility man Chris McPhee filling in at the back.

Thorne had fallen out of favour with Newport just six games into the season, despite having only joined the club in the summer from Forest Green Rovers.

Now Burr has handed him a lifeline after his Newport nightmare and could be set to be pitch him straight into the team.

The Harriers boss said: "Ollie is a young lad but he has experience at this level and is strong in the air.

"He has no gripes with Newport about not being involved because of how well they have started, but he is desperate to play football and was keen to come here.

"He is definitely someone who will make us stronger - he has put pen to paper for us and we are going to see how things go."