HARRIERS have eased their defensive worries by signing Birmingham City defender Nathaniel Kelly on a month-long youth loan.

The 19-year-old will remain at Aggborough until February 9 and will be available to play in  tomorrow's FA Trophy tie at home to Altrincham.

It provides manager Gary Whild with a much-needed defensive boost, with Josh Gowling injured and both Jordan Tunnicliffe and Tyrone Williams cup-tied.

Kelly signed a professional deal with Birmingham City last year, when he was a second-year scholar, and has featured for the reserves and the under-21s.

He is the third player associated with Blues to join Harriers this season and will be known to both Reece Hales and Akwasi Asante, who also progressed through the Blues academy but were released by the club last summer.

Meanwhile, Keyon Refell will be available after his international clearance came through.