BOGEY side Carlisle United stand between Kidderminster Harriers and a return to the Division Three play-off zone at Aggborough on Saturday.

Harriers have only beaten their Division Three rivals in an LDV Trophy tie out of five encounters since joining the Football League.

The poor record against the Cumbrians includes being dumped out of the FA Cup at home last season and failing to score in their previous three league encounters.

However, Jan Molby's men are full of confidence after only three defeats in 13 league games with just one home loss against promotion chasers Luton Town.

And Carlisle lost 3-1 to Darlington on Tuesday after an impressive 11-point tally in the previous five matches lifted them away from the bottom of the table.

Molby expects to sign striker Bo Henriksen permanently in time for the weekend as talks over a small five-figure fee transfer near an end.

They also hope to have skipper Mark Blake (Achilles) and speedy striker Colin Larkin (hamstring) fit for selection after Saturday's postponement at Swansea City gave them extra time to recover.

Assistant manager Gary Barnett said: "Carlisle's manager Roddy Collins has made quite a few changes and they have had some good results of late.

"But it's all down to us because we know we have the ability to win matches and we must keep our level of play up.

"It's been consistently very high and that's what has got us to where we are now.

"Saturday is a challenge for the players to get our first victory against Carlisle in the Football League and we should have some of them back to fitness.

"Carlisle might have a little more confidence now but they lost on Tuesday. However, they've done well away from home recently."

Harriers have dropped to ninth after former Conference rivals Rushden and Diamonds overtook them with a midweek win over Oxford United.

But they are well placed to pass a host of teams and make the top five if they win their games in hand.

They will be hoping the Carlisle clash beats the weather after the last home game against Macclesfield Town fell foul of a waterlogged pitch.

Barnett added: "The lads have been playing some excellent football and we hope the fans turn up and enjoy it."

Harriers head to Molby's old club Swansea on Tuesday (7.45pm).