HARRIERS have not given up hope of securing the signatures of Chris McPhee and Matthew Barnes-Homer, according to assistant manager Neil Howarth.

The duo are both priority signings for the Aggborough club, who are eager to bolster their squad with quality signings.

McPhee, who is a target for Cheltenham Town, is a free agent after his contract with Harriers came to an end in May.

Barnes-Homer, who was last season's joint top scorer with 21-goals, is already mulling over a deal to re-sign for Harriers.

Both were key players last season as Harriers finished sixth in the Blue Square Premier and their capture would emphasise that the club can be a force to be reckoned with in the 2009-10 campaign.

Barnes-Homer is thinking over several offers from clubs from the league and is also a target for big-spending Oxford United.

McPhee was a revelation for Harriers when he joined from Weymouth in February and has a strong bond with manager Mark Yates.

However, the Exeter-based player has already said that any move to a club will be affected by travelling distance from his home.

Howarth said: "Matt has to make the right deal for him because after the season he had last year it would be a step back to go somewhere and sit on the bench.

"We want him here and are hopeful that he will sign.

"It would be a big lift to have one of top scorers stay on at the club.

"Chris McPhee is another player that we would like to return.

"At the moment I think he's weighing up his options but he's spoke to Mark [Yates] and knows we'd love to have him back.

"There's a lot of factors for him to consider, including where he lives and I know there's been interest from clubs in the league.

"Saying that, he enjoyed his time with us last season. He's a sensible guy and will make the decision which is right for him."

Harriers are also aiming to bring in fresh members of the squad to replace the likes of Mark Creighton, Lukes Jones, Andy Ferrell and Justin Richards, who have all signed for other clubs this summer.