MARK Yates swooped to make his second signing since being appointed Harriers boss by completing the capture of former Northern Ireland youth international Jonny Harkness.

Left-footed full-back Harkness, 20, who had his contract at Walsall terminated by mutual consent earlier this month, has signed for one month at Aggborough and will be thrown straight into the squad to face Scarborough at home on Saturday.

The youngster burst onto the scene at the Bescott Stadium and made his Saddlers first-team debut aged just 16, earning rave reviews in the process.

Since then, his development has taken him on loan spells to Cambridge United and Halesowen Town. The player secured his release from Paul Merson's side early last week in a quest to find more first-team football and Yates is delighted he has joined Harriers.

He said: "Jonny has been training with us for the past week and this deal just allows both parties some more time to take a closer look at one another.

"He'll stay with us initially for just a month and we'll take things from there. The lad has got a quality left foot and he's certainly a welcome addition to our squad."

Yates completed his first signing shortly after taking over when he brought Burnley's Marc Pugh back to Harriers on a work experience loan deal.