KIDDERMINSTER Harriers will hand trialist striker Gary McPhee a big opportunity to win a future with the club tonight (7.30pm).

Boss Stuart Watkiss is continuing his hunt for forwards and is finally able to play ex-Coventry City player McPhee, 25, from the start in a hastily-arranged friendly at Evesham United.

McPhee failed to make a first-team appearance for Coventry before moving on to play in Ireland for St Patrick's Athletic and in his native Scotland.

However, Watkiss is on course to clinch a long-term loan signing from a Coca-Cola League One club by Monday to increase his limited attacking options.

Recent midfield addition Wayne Graves, behind his new team-mates in the pre-season schedule, stands to gain valuable match-time tonight before the Nationwide Conference kick-off a week on Saturday.

The game against Southern League Premier Division new boys Evesham at Common Road will also involve fringe players and youngsters bidding to impress.

Watkiss, who was watching Harriers' first Conference opponents Woking last night, said: "It'll be another chance for some of the younger players in the squad to get another 90 minutes under their belts, which is crucial.

"The fitness levels in training are improving but obviously nothing gives you that extra edge you get from playing football matches.

"Graves needs a game and we need to look at McPhee who will play the whole game. Gareth Sheldon and Iyseden Christie will also play some part."

Former Crewe, Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury midfielder Kevin Street, 27, is also due to figure as he is training with Harriers.

But Watkiss admitted: "We haven't really got the finances to get him on board so we're just helping him out. We need to improve our forward options."

Midfielder Leon Blake and striker Jermaine Clarke will be rested as Evesham give run-outs to trialists. The Robins have avoided defeat to three Nationwide North sides in their successful pre-season programme.

Evesham assistant manager Paul West said: "We are on target for what we want to achieve before the start of the new season.

"Kidderminster will be another tough test for us. It is another opportunity for us to play a few young lads who have been down here training with us this summer."