9:15am Thursday 9th July 2009
By Peter McKinney
KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Mark Yates has emphasised that quality is the key word as he tries to bring together a compact squad ahead of the 2009-10 campaign in the Blue Square Premier.
The manager is re-building his team under tight finances this summer at Aggborough and has warned that while he is constructing a group that may be short on depth it will have a high standard in the playing department.
Yates admitted that it is taking longer than he had wished to bring in the players he wanted but once again stated that assistant Neil Howarth and himself are working hard behind the scenes to secure the right ones.
Harriers now have eight players contracted to the club for the coming campaign, after Dean Bennett signed a one-year deal on Wednesday.
He came hot on the heels of ten-goal winger Brian Smikle, who agreed a one-year deal at the end of last week.
Harriers are also hopeful to add at least two more new faces before their first pre-season friendly at Bromyard Town on Friday (7.45pm kick-off), thought to be Martin Riley and Chris McPhee.
“I never like to say anything about new additions until they are signed but we are hopeful to have two or three more signed up this week,” commented Yates.
“It’s taking longer than I would have liked. Some players are still holding out and this summer is more about playing a waiting game.
“I think our priority this season is to have a small group with lots of quality.
“I know we’ve never had the biggest of squads but it’s a matter of quality rather than quantity for us.
“We could have filled the squad by now but Neil [Howarth] and I are trying to make sure we are good enough for next season.
“What I can have and what I want may be two different things but we will make sure we’re competitive.”
A number of trialists have been working with Yates and they will get a chance to impress in tomorrow’s friendly and the game at Bewdley Town on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Harriers then go to Walshes Meadow to play Stourport Swifts on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick-off).
However, Yates ruled out a move to secure former Harriers hitman Lee Hughes, who trained with the club this week.
The forward is looking for a new club after his two-year deal with Oldham came to an end this summer.
“Lee’s a good mate of mine and I’d love to have him at the club but it’s not going to happen,” said the manager.
“He rang me on Monday to say it wasn’t working out at Oldham and he asked if he could train with us.
“We’d love to have him here but he’s got several clubs interested in him and unfortunately we couldn’t afford him.”
Yates also said that Burton Albion must improve their offer if they wish to sign midfielder Russ Penn.
The 23-year-old has been the subject of two bids but the Brewers have yet to match Harriers’ valuation of £50,000 for him.
Yates said: “I’ve had a chat with Russ and I know he’s got a desire to play in Football League.
“He’s our player and I don’t want him to go because we want to keep our better players.
“Burton’s offer wasn’t not good enough and it’s up to them to make us a better one if they really want him.”
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