KIDDERMINSTER Harriers go into the first friendly at Bewdley tomorrow (2pm) with the close-season take-over saga still hanging over them.

Contracts are expected to be finally signed early next week to allow Aggborough Holdings to buy out majority shareholder Lionel Newton.

But it seems the Barry Norgrove-led consortium must do without the financial clout of Bermuda-based businessman Gordon Howard who is believed to have pulled out of the deal.

Key take-over players Newton and current vice-chairman Norgrove are away until early next week.

Despite Howard's withdrawal, the consortium's commitment to invest £300,000 now and £100,000 over the next year still stands.