Kidderminster Harriers have been playing through pain barrier

The Northumberland outfit make the 500-mile round trip to Aggborough after getting off to a flying start in the National League North following a championship-winning campaign last season.

Harriers are 14th in the early standings with four wins from their opening 11 outings and, after progressing beyond Deeping Rangers in the FA Cup last week, Eustace returns home in the league with a walking wounded squad.

Frontman Joe Ironside (hamstring) is rated at 50-50 after being forced off before the hour in Lincolnshire last weekend. He is joined by influential midfield man James McQuilkin (ankle), who sat out the Cup tie altogether.

Summer signing Dan Bradley (hamstring) could be set for a return after being forced to sit out the last three games.

“A lot of them have been struggling,” admitted boss Eustace, whose side played three away games in a week at Southport, Tamworth and Deeping last week.

“We’ve had a free week so have taken the opportunity to rest some of those injuries. A lot of them have had to play through injuries at times.

“It has been catching up on them having over-worked and even playing through the pain barrier

for the fans, club and me.”

Ryan Croasdale, who scored on his last outing in the 2-2 home draw with Curzon three weeks ago, could be in line for a return after missing out with personal reasons.

The Aggborough side have been dealt a blow with 18-year-old Doncaster loanee Will Longbottom being forced to return to his parent club after an injury.

The striker is out for seven or eight wins after picking up an ankle injury in last week's FA Cup win at Deeping. He will return to League One Doncaster for treatment. His loan was originally set to run for another two weeks.

Boss Eustace declared that '100 per cent' Harriers would be keen to secure his services again later down the line.

But long-term absentees Lee Vaughan and Liam Truslove are not yet ready for a return.