STRIKER Justin Richards gave beleagured Kidderminster Harriers a boost by not ruling out a return to the club.

The 28-year-old hitman, last season's joint top scorer with 21 goals in all competitions, was one of a host of players out of contract who were not offered new deals because of Harriers' cash crisis.

However, Harriers are eager to persuade key players who guided Harriers to within a whisker of the Blue Square Premier's promotion play-offs back to the club.

The club are waiting for a much-needed £100,000 cash boost from two new investors.

Richards though is one of the summer's hot products and there has been strong interest from Harriers' Conference rivals Mansfield Town in him.

"When the season ended the manager said he could not keep me because of the money situation," said Richards.

"We shook hands and he said if there was any change that they would contact me, but there hasn't been anything yet.

"If the situation changed then I would certainly not rule out a return to the club because I was disappointed to leave. I enjoyed my time there.

"At the moment I am weighing up my options, I have had some interest from other clubs and I am in a good position.

"I am in no rush to sign for anyone and I will wait to see what happens."

One possible replacement for Richards if he joins another club is former Harriers hitman Iyseden Christie.

Christie, who has scored 36 goals over three periods for Harriers, was released by Torquay this week.

The 32-year-old left Aggborough for Stevenage Borough but was loaned out for the first half of the season to Kettering Town.

After being released by Borough he spent the rest of the season at the Gulls but only made six league appearances in total and was released this week by the seasiders.

Harriers are in desperate need of new strikers, with Matthew Barnes-Homer yet to sign a new deal and Darryl Knights the only other hitman on the club's books.