STUART Watkiss believes Kidderminster Harriers' strength in depth up front will prove essential as they aim to boost their survival hopes over the Bank Holiday period.

The Aggborough club travel to play-off chasing Darlington tomorrow before entertaining Mansfield Town on Monday in two crucial Coca-Cola League Two encounters.

And Watkiss reckons Harriers can ease their relegation worries with the attacking options at his disposal.

Chris Beardsley and Blair Sturrock have struck a profitable partnership for Harriers, the duo grabbing five goals between themselves in the club's last six games.

But the pair are under pressure to continue producing the goods with fellow strikers Iyseden Christie and Mark Rawle breathing down their necks for a starting place.

Furthermore, Gary Birch will be looking to make the trip to Darlington's Williamson Motors Stadium after impressing in the reserves against Nuneaton Borough on Wednesday night.

Former Walsall man Birch underwent a knee operation last month and has made excellent progress in training this week, much to the delight of Watkiss.

"Gary did well in the reserves and that now gives us quite a few options in attack," he said. "That is really important to us, especially as we've got two games in the space of three days coming up.

"Chris and Blair have done ever so well, but it's important that there is competition. And if one or two of the players are feeling a bit jaded, we've got fresh legs to come in and that could be crucial."

Midfielder Lee Jenkins has failed to train this week after picking up a knee injury, but Watkiss insists the Welshmen is ready to start in the North East.

Watkiss added: "Lee is still struggling a little bit with his knee. We've been wrapping him up in cotton wool, but he should be OK for Darlington.

"Hopefully, we can get him through that game and then we will have Tom Bennett back on Monday. It's not ideal, but Lee will get through it."

Watkiss clinched the signature of former West Brom defender Adam Chambers before yesterday's transfer deadline.

But the 24-year-old has missed most of the season with a back injury and is unlikely to figure in first-team plans for a few weeks as he works towards full fitness.

Harriers' relegation rivals Rushden & Diamonds, Cambridge United, Chester City and Shrewsbury Town all play tonight.

Watkiss believes his side are at a disadvantage having to play both fixtures in the space of 72 hours, while Kidderminster's nearest competitors get an extra day's rest.

Watkiss added: "Ideally, I would rather have played tonight to give us an extra day to recover before the Mansfield game. But we will see how the other teams get on and that will tell us exactly what the state of play is.

"Darlington are up there challenging for the play-offs and they are a very decent side, especially at home. But we have got to be positive.

"We are five games unbeaten and that shows we have become more competitive. But we are still 91st in the Football League and we want to change that."

Three Harriers youngsters have been called up by the Worcestershire FA for the Midland Youth Football Championship clash with East Riding on Sunday, April 3.

Tom Coley, Richard Evans and Steve Thompson were all included in the squad, along with Bilford FC duo Scott Finnegan and Matthew Tyler, Bromsgrove Rovers youth player David Rousell and Andrew Lacey of Burlish Olympic Youth.

The match takes place at Worcester City's St George's Lane Ground, kicking off at 2pm.