DEADLINE day signing Hugh McAuley is set to make his debut in Kidderminster Harriers' vital Division Three visit to Macclesfield.

The versatile midfielder or forward has signed from Division Two strugglers Cheltenham until the end of the season.

A prolific scorer in the Conference with Leek, the 25-year-old spent more than three seasons with Cheltenham, netting nine goals in 100 Football League appearances.

However, boss Ian Britton missed out on a second swoop for Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Michael Branch as he was unable to complete a deal before Thursday's 5pm deadline.

There is bad news on the injury front for Saturday's game with Wes Morgan recalled by Nottingham Forest early due to his back injury.

Harriers are already without John Melligan (international duty), Kenny Coleman (stomach) and Lee Ayres (ankle).

Scott Stamps, back from a groin operation, is likely to have to start, while top scorer Bo Henriksen and Dean Bennett (both hamstring) are not yet fully fit.

Harriers need a result in Cheshire to boost their flagging play-off bid after going three games without a win.

Former Conference rivals Macclesfield are in danger of dropping back down to non-league football.

The Cheshire side have been giving themselves a good chance of avoiding relegation though with only one defeat in their last five games.

But the 19th-placed Silkmen are slipping up too much at home for boss Dave Moss's liking and are just two points off the bottom two.

Matthew Tipton, who scored in last Saturday's 1-0 win at Oxford, has notched 13 goals with Danny Whitaker adding 12 and Kyle Lightbourne 11.

Michael Welch is banned after collecting 10 yellow cards but fellow defender Steve Macauley should lend his experience at the back by recovering from a head injury.

Moss signed Crewe forwards Colin Little and John Miles on loan before the transfer deadline as well as Woking front-man Ben Abbey.

But he released centre-back Dave Ridler who was expected to join Scarborough.