KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' on-pitch plans should become clearer next week, despite the cloudy picture behind the scenes at Aggborough.

A big power struggle is on the cards with club owner Lionel Newton's majority shareholding seemingly up for grabs this summer.

With Newton demanding a £400,000 cash injection into Harriers, a group involving current chief Colin Youngjohns, former chairman David Reynolds and others have tabled an offer.

But the club are also interesting a controversial consortium who are believed to have been involved with Farnborough during their recent relegation to Nationwide South.

Although the wrangle is delaying news of Stuart Watkiss' player budget for next season, the manager intends to act after Saturday's final Coca-Cola League Two game at Northampton.

Watkiss is likely to be in intensive talks with all his players next Monday and Tuesday before announcing his retained list for Harriers' return to the Conference.

He said: "The players do really need to be told what's going on so they can sort their futures out. In theory, I know those I want to keep and those I want to let go but it would still be nice to know the budget before then.

"Ultimately, some will be offered deals and some will be on reduced terms. But, apart from Jamie Gleeson and Reuben Hazell, I haven't sat down with any of the players as yet.

"If they are going to be signing new deals, I will be telling them what I expect of them through the summer.

"They will be in at various stages during the summer to check their weight and overall condition. The intention is they come back for pre-season in reasonably good nick so we can work more on the organisational side and other aspects of the game."

Gleeson and Hazell are the only confirmed departures from Harriers but more are sure to follow, considering Harriers' miserable campaign and the expected budget cuts.

The boardroom struggle is not helping but Watkiss insisted: "I will concentrate all my efforts on next season and that's what I will do until I am told differently.

"Like everyone else, I am aware of the situation at the top but I have to focus all my attention on the football side of things. After the retained list is announced, I will be going out to get replacements for those players."

Meanwhile, chairman Youngjohns has revealed the board have made numerous attempts to resolve the ownership issue at Aggborough in the past without success.

He is calling on the rival consortium to give their short and long-term plans for the club.