KIDDERMINSTER Harriers were suspiciously quiet on transfer deadline day -- and boss Stuart Watkiss will hope he does not regret that lack of activity.

Despite Harriers' striker shortage being widely acknowledged, Watkiss intends to keep his squad as it is until the transfer window reopens in January.

A collection of injuries or suspensions may well force his hand in the meantime and he can still sign free agents or non-contract players from other clubs.

The worry is if anything happens to Iyseden Christie, loan signing Taiwo Atieno or Gareth Sheldon in the long term, Harriers will be relying on makeshift forwards.

And, with a potential temporary deal for a Football League striker not emerging on Wednesday, Watkiss was clearly unable to find someone he could afford who offered sufficient quality.

Watkiss admitted: "Like most managers of other teams, I will need to keep my fingers crossed with injuries and suspensions. We'll be operating with the current squad until the window reopens in the new year."

Harriers still have numerous loans available to them with Walsall's Atieno, who had three goals to his name before last night's game with Canvey Island, and Barnsley midfielder Simon Heslop the only used so far.