THERE will be few new faces in Kidderminster Harriers' red-uced squad in the coming season.

New boss Ian Britton, faced with financial constraints, cut the wage bill by releasing experienced former skipper Ian Clarkson, Tony Bird, Ben Davies and Peter Faulds at the end of last season.

Midfielder Richie Appleby followed the four out of the door by rejecting Harriers' contract offer to join former boss Jan Molby at Hull City.

It left a space in the squad for Britton to fill which he did quickly by snapping up 30-year-old Sean Parrish.

And this week he added more much-needed experience to the squad by clinching the signature of former West Bromwich Albion man Sean Flynn.

The 34-year-old central midfielder has a wealth of experience at Coventry City, Derby County and his last team Tranmere Rovers.

Flynn showed signs he may even have a similar influence to Conference-winning inspiration Mike Marsh with astute passing and tough tackling in Saturday's 3-2 friendly win over Cheltenham Town.

Meanwhile, left-footed Parrish, though not a creative playmaker like Appleby, also brings a lot of know-how.

The midfielder or full-back mixes a competitive game with an appetite for goals that has earned him promotion with Chesterfield and Northampton Town.

Parrish and Flynn are likely to be vital in a relatively young squad missing former England U-21 cap and skipper Mark Blake, 31.

Blake, the ex-Aston Villa player, is not expected to return until November at the earliest as he recovers from a career-threatening Achilles injury.

However, many of the stars around him gained a vital full Division Three season in 2001-02 and will be looking to impress again.

Non-stop midfield anchorman Danny Williams quickly established himself as a favourite after a free-transfer switch from Wrexham.

The 23-year-old may want to add more goals to his game but there was little else wrong with Williams' consistent displays.

Strong competition for player of the year was provided by centre-half Craig Hinton who continued his impressive progress.

Dependable Hinton, 24, attracted a bid from Stockport County as he so often tidied up calmly at the back.

Young Frenchman Abdou Sall, 21, arrived from nowhere to form an excellent defensive partnership with his giant frame proving difficult to pass in the air or on the ground.

Behind them keeper Stuart Brock, 25, who will have teenager John Danby as his deputy this season, remains a fine shot stopper but will want to forget his mishaps in last season's 4-1 defeat to Luton.

At left-back, the talented Scott Stamps, 27, delighted boss Britton by signing a new contract and he has an able deputy in ex-USA U-20 international Ian Joy who turned 21 last month.

Manager Britton has more of a poser on the right where the versatile Adie Smith and Lee Ayres are currently vying for the position.

Smith is one of Harriers' longest servants at just 28 after signing from Bromsgrove five years ago, while 19-year-old Ayres is perhaps another for the future.

Alongside Williams, Flynn and Parrish in midfield could be the energetic Dean Bennett, 24, who underlined his potential with seven goals in as many league games at one stage last season.

Left-sided 24-year-old Sam Shilton will be desperate to make an impact in the final year of his contract as will creative Irish-born Daire Doyle, 21.

In pre-season, Britton used one man in a free role behind the strikers, a position favoured by ex-England youth international Andy Ducros, 24.

Harriers' record signing has shown flashes of his undoubted ability in the Football League but will be looking to maintain his fitness and produce consistently on the pitch.

Bo Henriksen, a Danish Super League winner with Herfolge, can also fill that role and drop back to midfield.

The pony-tailed 27-year-old, despite rarely training due to injury, showed his obvious class with eight goals last season.

Two other main players in attack are likely to be target-man Drewe Broughton, 23, and Ian Foster, 25.

Broughton's height and aggression have given defences problems, though he will look to hit double figures in the goals column.

Speedy Foster has often been used out wide but is a major goal hope considering he bagged 17 in the Conference-winning campaign and injuries seem to be behind him.

Matt Lewis, the 18-year-old invited for a trial with Aston Villa recently, will put serious pressure on his more experienced team-mates with his natural finishing ability.

And up-and-coming Andy Corbett, 21, must be looking to break into the first team after three pre-season goals.

Promising youth teamers Inderpaul Khela and Scott Lower, both defenders, along with midfielder Nick Heath have all figured in the low-key friendlies.