3:00pm Friday 5th February 2010
HARRIERS may face a daunting task at Blue Square Premier pacesetters Oxford United tomorrow but the Aggborough outfit go into the game with confidence high.
New manager Steve Burr has yet to taste defeat since joining the club a fortnight ago but second-place U's will present his biggest test yet.
Harriers go into the game on the back of a four-game unbeaten run and will be hoping to take advantage of a small wobble by Oxford at the Kassam Stadium.
Chris Wilder's side boast an impressive home record, losing just once this season thanks to former Harriers Iyseden's strike for Tamworth in January.
However, the potent U's have also struggled for goals in recent home games and captain Chris McPhee is confident that Harriers can cause the title-chasers some problems.
McPhee, who scored the winner against Worcester City which ironically set up an FA Trophy quarter-final at Oxford later in the month, also believes Burr has made a big impact since joining from Stalybridge Celtic.
He said: "Since the new manager has came in we've shown we're creative going forward and good defensively, so we're looking forward to going to Oxford.
"We've got nothing to be afraid, they're a side that will come onto us and that means we can hit them on the break.
"We've got a lot of pace in the side, so it will be an interesting game because it's a dress rehearsal for the Trophy and we can have a little look at them."
Harriers will also be facing up against former team-mates in James Constable, Adam Murray, Mark Creighton and keeper Ryan Clarke.
Burr is well aware of Constable's importance to Oxford as he is the club's top-scorer with 19 goals.
"James is a player I know a lot of from my work with England C," commented Harriers' manager.
"He scored a lot of goals here and now he's doing it for Oxford, so we know he's going to be a handful.
"We go into the game with a lot of confidence, we're on a good little run and the players are confident.
"Of course, they're a very good side but we're all looking forward to the game."
Harriers are set to be lifted by the availability of striker Robbie Matthews, who missed the last two games with the flu and a migraine.
Matthews has suffered a stop-start career at the club so far but the highlight was his brace against Oxford in Harriers' 3-1 win at Aggborough.
Winger Marc Goodfellow is set to make his debut after joining Harriers on-loan from Burton Albion until the end of the season.
Assistant manager John Finnigan could also play his fourth successive game for Harriers. The 33-year-old has been rejuvenated by Burrafter being given a more attacking role.
He had struggled with a groin injury since starting five games in a row at the start of the season and before this run only made rare starts. However, he has played a pivotal role for Burr.
Martin Riley, Damian Spencer and Kyle Hadley all have knocks going into the game.
Oxford have been boosted by the news that winger Alfie Potter should be available after recovering from an ankle injury sustained at Chelmsford in the Trophy.
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