KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Jan Molby hopes tomorrow's home clash with Leyton Orient will provide a winning launchpad for their hectic spell of matches before next month's big FA Cup showdown with Wolves.
He wants relegation-threatened Harriers to pick up precious Nationwide League Division Three points against Orient, York City, Yeovil Town and Bristol Rovers before they concentrate on Wolves' third round visit to Aggborough on January 3.
Aggborough's director of football said: "We are two points away from a relegation place, but the positive thing is that if you look immediately above us there are three teams who are on 20 points, the same as us. It's so, so tight.
"It's not a case of us and Southend being isolated fighting for the last relegation place, there's other teams in there so it gives us a bit of hope.
"If we beat Orient that would put them back into trouble, but on the other hand if they won it they would move out of it. That's how close it is.
"Orient have picked up a little bit. In their last league match they had an excellent win at Cambridge United, scoring four. They are a good footballing side.
"They have some excellent footballers, but I think if we can deny them the space to play and get the ball forward and put pressure on their back four then that might be the best way of getting some success."
Molby, who has admitted he is interested in Swansea defender Lee Jenkins, highlights striker Gary Alexander and midfielder Tom Newey as major threats to Harriers' hopes of collecting maximum points.
He said: "Alexander was at Hull when I was there and he's been scoring goals at this level for a period.
"They have also got a left sided midfield player in Tom Newey who is capable on the day of causing one or two problems."
Before finalising his squad Molby will check on the fitness of Kenny Coleman (calf), Sean Parrish (stomach), John Danby (thigh) and hamstring victim Bo Henriksen who was on target when Harriers won 3-2 in the corresponding fixture last season.
The O's are currently 14th after winning five and drawing three off their last ten league games since caretaker boss Martin Ling took over from Paul Brush who was sacked in late September.
Harriers expect a bumper crowd tomorrow as the match programme will contain a voucher needed by non-season ticket holders to purchase tickets for the Wolves tie.
n FORMCAST: Harriers to win 2-1.
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