MARK Yates believes the squad he has assembled during his first month in the Harriers hotseat is stronger than the one he inherited.

Yates and assistant Neil Howarth have been busy revamping the dressing room with a host of comings and goings.

They are delighted with the captures of Jake Sedgemore, Andy White, Junior Osborn, Paul Smith, Francino Francis and Jonny Harkness.

And Yates believes their arrivals more than make up for the loss of Mark Jackson, Iyseden Christie, Wayne Hatswell and company.

"I think I've got a better squad and I'm happy with what I've got now," he said.

"It is a smaller squad but I believe that it is stonger.

"Some of the players we had here were never going to play, but I know that now I am more than confident calling upon any of them.

"We're confident we've got the right players to take us forward."

WELCOME TO AGGBOROUGH

Jake Sedgemore

Age 27; position: right-sided defender/midfielder; former clubs: Hednesford, Hereford, Northwich, Shrewsbury, Bury; loan spell: Burton; signed on 18-month contract.

Yates: "Jake is versatile and can play a number of positions including full-back and midfield. He's mobile and can see a pass."

Andy White

Age 24; position: centre forward; former clubs: Mansfield, Crewe, Notts County; loan spells: Burton, Harriers, Boston; signed on one-month loan.

Yates: "With Iyseden indicating that he didn't want to stay I've been after a targetman and in Andy I've got one of the best in the lower leagues."

Paul Smith

Age: 30 , position; left-sided defender/midfielder; former clubs: Burnley, Hartlepool, Sheffield Wednesday; loan spell: Oldham; signed on five-month contract.

Yates: "I've known him for a long time and he's a quality player who will bring something exciting to the squad."

Junior Osborn

Age: 18; position: right or central defence; clubs: Watford; signed on loan until the end of the season.

Yates: "The Watford manager has kindly recommended him to me and he's a quality up-and-coming defender who was the quickest player at Watford."

Francino Francis

Age: 20; position: centre forward; clubs: Stoke, Watford; Signed on one-month loan.

Yates: "He showed on Saturday how much of a handful he can be. He's full of youthful exuberance and will be a major threat."

Jonny Harkness

Age: 20; position: left-sided defender; clubs: Walsall; loan spells: Halesowen, Cambridge; Signed on five-month contract.

Yates: He's got the sweetest left foot in the Conference and the quality he's got at set pieces has been a big factor in our last two wins."

GOING, GOING, GONE

Yates will be able to use the wages saved through Jackson, Christie and Hatswell's departures to pay his new signings on a weekly basis.

The £35,000 fee they received from Rochdale and the £10,000 they were paid by Rushden for Hatswell will be banked for future use.

"We've lost three decent players but I think in the long run it will benefit the club," said Yates.

"We've brought in four or five quality players for the same money that those three were earning which I think is great business for Kidderminster Harriers."

Meanwhile, the club have agreed a settlement on Martin O'Connor's contract and the veteran midfielder is likely to hang up his boots from professional football.

Chris McHale has signed for Bromsgrove, while Jermain Hollis is interesting Hucknall after the young duo were released because of a lack of first team football at Aggborough.

Marc Pugh and Simon Heslop have returned to their parent clubs, Burnley and Barnsley, despite impressing during their loan spells because Yates now has other midfield and attacking options.

Patrick Flynn is still looking for a new club after being allowed to leave by Yates who has cover in the right-back area.