THE countdown to the new league season continues for Kidderminster Harriers this week when Jan Molby's troops will look to build on a morale-boosting haul of pre-season victories.

The Aggborough outfit will test their promotion credentials with home clashes against Division One neighbours West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (3pm) and Birmingham City on Wednesday (7.30pm).

Assistant manager Gary Barnett is anticipating two tough tests against opponents who both narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premiership last season through the play-offs.

However, Harriers will go into the clashes with confidence after winning four and drawing one of their five pre-season friendlies so far - the latest a 1-0 success against Bristol City on Tuesday thanks to a first half strike by Stewart Hadley - his fourth goal so far.

Barnett said: "I was pleased with the levels of fitness we showed on Tuesday in what turned out to be a very entertaining match.

"Both sides played some smashing football and it was encouraging to perform so well against a team many fancy to win the Second Division next year.

"We need to take the momentum into the next two games and keep building our confidence, but fitness and avoiding injuries remain the main objective."

Molby is again unlikely to have a fully-fit squad at his disposal for Saturday's game, with injuries set to keep midfielders Dean Bennett and Sam Shilton and strikers Drewe Broughton and Ian Foster on the sidelines.

Barnett said: "Bennett still has a groin and hip problem and Shilton and Broughton are also struggling with groin niggles so it looks as if they might get some action against Birmingham.

"We hope to see Foster back training today or tomorrow after his hamstring injury but, again, the weekend will probably come too soon for him."

Trialists Ian Joy, Sall Abdou and Darren Middleton are still waiting to hear if Molby will offer them contracts, despite some impressive performances.

Midfielder Middleton was influential against Bristol City and also scored in Saturday's 3-0 victory over Redditch United, while left-back Joy and centre-back Abdou played with confidence in Tuesday's clash.

Chairman Lionel Newton will discuss their futures with Molby this week, but has warned purse strings are tight and the manager has almost used his pre-season budget.

Last Wednesday Harriers could only manage a 1-1 draw with Evesham United despite taking a first-half lead through reserve midfielder Peter Faulds.

Meanwhile, former Harriers goalkeeper Tim Clarke, who made 28 appearances last season, has been enjoying Champions League football with Welsh outfit Barry Town after his release from Aggborough.

Thirty-six-year-old Clarke played a major role for Barry in their 3-0 aggregate victory over Azerbaijan side Shamkir in the first qualifying round, and was set to appear for them again in last night's second round first-leg tie away at Portuguese giants Porto before the return at Jenner Park on Wednesday.

He has been given permission to play by his new side Halesowen Town because Barry cannot gain international clearance for their new goalkeeper.