RICHIE Appleby's future at Kidderminster Harriers is in doubt after former boss Jan Molby confirmed he is targeting the midfielder.

Molby, now at Division Three rivals Hull City, has put Appleby and former Harriers loan striker Colin Larkin at the top of his hit-list for summer signings.

He has described the ex-England youth international as the best midfielder in Division Three and plans to swoop when he is out of contract in June.

Appleby, 26, has been offered an undisclosed deal at Aggborough by new boss Ian Britton but is sure to be tempted by the chance to link up with Molby for the third time.

Molby, who will be able to make the playmaker a much bigger offer than Harriers due to increased funds at Hull, also signed him while at Swansea City.

The Dane told the Hull Daily Mail: "Richie Appleby is a player I have a lot of respect and admiration for.

"He has to be the best midfielder in the Third Division and I would love to bring him here.

"He'd make a big difference to our squad and he's the type of player I'm looking to sign.

"His contract with Kidderminster expires in June. My understanding is they have offered him a new deal but I will be looking to speak to him."

And of Larkin, Molby has said: "Colin did really well for me at Kidderminster.

"He's got a lot of pace, he's very skillful and there aren't too many players like him around at this level of the game.

"He is under contract at Wolves but I will be speaking to them to see what the situation is.

"They are in the play-offs at the moment so Dave Jones has enough on his plate but hopefully we'll be able to sort something out."

Hull have also been linked with Harriers' stars Craig Hinton, Abdou Sall and Bo Henriksen but sources up north say they are not top of Molby's list.

There are also rumours from Hull that the compensation package agreed for Molby and his assistant Gary Barnett is around £65,000.