KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Stuart Watkiss is adamant his side now have the potential to score goals following the free transfer signing of Walsall striker Gary Birch.

Watkiss continued his revolution at Aggborough yesterday by snapping up the promising 23-year-old while releasing midfielder Frederic Advice-Des-ruisseaux and forward Youssou Diop.

Birch has signed for Harriers until the end of the season although Walsall have negotiated a substantial sell-on clause into the deal should Birch be sold during the period.

Rock-bottom Harriers have netted just 12 goals in 21 matches in Coca-Cola League Two this season and Watkiss insists his new signing has what it takes to fire the club up the table.

He said: "Gary's a very good footballer and I believe he has goals in him, something we desperately need at the moment. He has been brought up the right way under Mick Halsall and also with the managers he has played under."

Birch began his career at the Bescot where he progressed through the youth and reserve ranks.

Harriers made several failed attempts to land the striker on loan under the tenure of Ian Britton in previous seasons. Birch went on to become a first-team regular last season, making 37 appearances and scoring four goals.

He is now set to make his full debut at Cheltenham on Saturday and is already looking forward to the challenge lying ahead.

He said: "I'm looking forward to it and I know how much it'll mean for the club's fans as a local derby. It'll be my debut and I'll be looking to do some damage.

"I'm strong and physical and I can score goals. If I can do well hopefully I can be a hit here. I've scored goals in pre-season games here so hopefully I can be on the other end of it now."

Diop and Advice-Desruisseaux left Aggborough after both players mutually agreed their careers lay elsewhere.

Senegalese Diop, 24, signed in July 2004. Advice-Desruisseaux, 21, also joined the club in the summer.