DETERMINED caretaker boss Shaun Cunnington has delivered a decisive message to the Kidderminster Harriers board by declaring: "I want this job".

Cunnington's first game in charge resulted in a 1-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Shrewsbury Town which leaves Harriers three points off their Coca-Cola League Two rivals.

But the stand-in manager, filling in following Jan Molby's resignation, had just 15 players available and will need to boost his squad this week due to a string of injuries.

Striker Iyseden Christie (foot) and midfielder Micky Mellon (Achilles) are both due for operations to join Reuben Hazell (knee), Simon Brown (leg) and John Danby (foot) on the sidelines.

They all seem set to miss the whole of November with the experienced Mellon's absence the longest at a predicted three months.

So Cunnington, in charge for at least the next three weeks while Harriers analyse and interview potential managers, has an even bigger challenge to break a run of three defeats without scoring.

But the former youth team boss declared: "I'm relishing the opportunity. It's going to be a hard task but I'm very determined to turn it around.

"Hopefully, I can do enough in the month to get the directors to think that I've got a future here at the club. I make no bones about it -- I want this job.

Cunnington added: "The injury situation is horrendous and they are all to key experienced players. I've never known it at a football club in my career.

"But you can't feel sorry for yourself. It's a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to grasp it. They don't come around in football very often and I love being a football manager."

Harriers have been drawn to visit Port Vale in the FA Cup first round.

Manchester United are at Aggborough tonight for a Barclays Premiership Reserve League North clash with West Bromwich Albion (7pm).