KIDDERMINSTER Harriers will be without defender Adie Smith for tonight's Nationwide League Division Three clash against Southend United at Roots Hall (7.45pm).

The former Bromsgrove Rovers campaigner picked up a hamstring strain during Saturday's goalless draw at Barnet and was unable to train yesterday.

Fifth-in-the-table Harriers, however, will be boosted by the return of front-runner Toby Bird.

He missed the Barnet trip because of a one-match suspension for being sent off for two bookable offences in the recent home match against Halifax Town.

Still on the Aggborough casualty list are defender Scott Stamps, striker Ian Foster and first choice goalkeeper Tim Clarke.

Stamps and Clarke have knee injuries while Foster is battling to overcome a hamstring problem.

Stuart Brock will continue to play in goal with his broken right hand heavily strapped up under his glove as it was for the match with Barnet at Underhill.

"He only had one save to make in the first half and there was no reaction, so I think he'll be fine," said Kidderminster boss Jan Molby.

Unlucky Brock suffered the injury during the warm-up to Harriers' Worthington Cup first round second leg clash with Second Division table-toppers Walsall last Tuesday.

Molby, meanwhile, is expecting another testing match tonight against a Southend outfit who are currently sixth from bottom in the table.

He said: "They started the season on fire by beating Brighton 2-0 but since then have found it a little bit difficult.

"They are like most teams in the lower divisions. They are particularly strong at home and they will be a handful for us whatever system they play.

"They like to get the ball down and try and knock it around so it could be interesting.

"We felt we left two points at Barnet, so we are going to go to Southend tonight and try to put that right.

"But after their home draw with Plymouth on Saturday they will be looking to try and gain the three points against us. So it's a game that could go either way, but we will be going there to try to win it."

So far this term The Shrimpers have collected six points from six matches with their three home games resulting in a win, a draw and a defeat.