OCTOBER may see the season still in its infancy but the month promises to be a vital one if Kidderminster Harriers are to wrestle clear of the Coca-Cola League Two relegation zone.

Tomorrow, Harriers entertain Cambridge United, one of few teams suffering with their form as badly as Jan Molby's men, in a premature six-pointer.

A defeat would see the Aggborough side slip three points behind their visitors and put a further dent in fragile confidence ahead of a demanding month of fixtures.

It will not be the number of games faced but more the quality of opposition that could really help judge whether Harriers' problem at the bottom is as big as it may seem.

They must also take on Lincoln City, Chester City and Shrewsbury Town, none of whom have made bright starts to the campaign, alongside early pace-setters Scunthorpe United and Bristol Rovers.

Though the problem for Harriers continues to centre on goals, or a lack of them, Molby has also been addressing yet more defensive problems this week.

Centre-half Abdou Sall serves the second of a three-game ban for his red card at Southend and the Dane believes his young replacement, Chris McHale, must be taken out of the limelight.

Youth-team product McHale, 19, certainly did not let anyone down in Tuesday's 1-0 LDV Vans Trophy exit at Bristol Rovers but Molby is anxious to avoid putting too much weight on his shoulders, especially in the current climate.

Harriers have lost six of the last seven league games with only four goals scored in the competition all season -- and two of them were penalties.

However, assistant boss Gary Barnett admitted: "We've been trying to get a defender in and we've had the phone pressed to our ear all week but we've not had any joy yet.

"Chris has done extremely well for us. He coped well in dealing with some experienced strikers against Bristol Rovers and you saw the other week against Cardiff how well he did against Rob Earnshaw.

"He's probably one of the ones that has already played more games than we anticipated he would play all season but he's done well and it's experience for him."

Cambridge have also struggled for goals, netting seven in ten games, and with just one win registered, 1-0 against Shrewsbury on August 14.

But they do try to play good football and may have taken a large step forward with their 1-0 LDV win at Boston United in mid-week.

Harriers, though, should take inspiration from their last home game -- an important success over Macclesfield Town and an improved second-half display.

Midfielders Lee Jenkins and Richie Appleby should be restored to the line-up after a rest at Bristol along with forward Yossou Diop.

And striker Iyseden Christie is expected to be back on the bench.

Barnett added: "We're still in touch with teams in mid-table at the moment. It's vital that we win so that we're not cut adrift of the pack."