Harriers braced for swash-buckling Cards (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Harriers braced for swash-buckling Cards

8:00am Thursday 24th January 2013 in News

STEVE Burr hailed his defence ahead of the visit of Blue Square Bet Premier entertainers Woking.

The newly-promoted Cards have a habit on being involved in high-scoring matches and they are among the division’s top scorers with 43 goals.

However, the helter-skelter Surrey outfit also boast the leakiest defence with 53 conceded.

In contrast, the Aggborough boast a watertight backline, conceding just a miserly 24 in 28 matches.

With Woking on Saturday and AFC Telford at Aggborough on Tuesday, Harriers will be aiming to take full advantage to further cement their place in the play-off spots and bounce back from last weekend’s loss to Macclesfield.

“It’s always disappointing to lose a game but I thought Macc just about deserved to win,” commented Burr.

“I thought if we raised our game by five per cent we could have got something out of it.

“But we’re looking forward to Saturday, Woking score and concede a lot of goals so it could be a high scoring match.

“Saying that, our defence is very strong. It’s probably the strongest I’ve ever had and it’s really pleasing.

“We just want to bounce back and start another run again.”

Burr is also hoping some of his walking wounded recover from injuries. James Vincent was hopeful of over coming a niggly knee injury, while Callum Gittings and Keith Briggs were also carrying knocks.

Anthony Malbon has got over a bout of the flu but Sean Clancy serves the second match of his three-game ban.

The manager said: “We’re feeling it a bit in terms of injuries but hopefully this clear week will help some of them recover.

“We’ve had James Vincent out with a knee problem, while Callum Gittings and Keith Briggs have been carrying knocks.

“Anthony Malbon has had the flu and Sean Clancy is suspended, so it has been tough.”

Meanwhile, Burr and assistant Gary Whild are still working hard to find a replacement for striker Jamille Matt and draft in at least one more midfielder.

Their plans have been disrupted as trials for several targets were cancelled because of heavy snow.

“We’ve made a few enquiries and hit a few brick walls but we’re still looking to bring a few players in,” said the Harriers boss “With Jamille gone it’s a priority to bring in a centre-forward and the squad does need some bolstering.

“The snow hasn’t helped, we were supposed to have a couple of lads on trial this week but they weren’t able to travel because of the snow.

“But we’ve just got to get on with it because there’s not much we can do about the weather.”

Ryan Austin also returned from his loan spell at Brackley yesterday to bolster the club’s defensive options.

The club revealed at their AGM on Tuesday night they will not use the money from Matt’s sale to pay off the £56,000 brewery loan. That would incur an £11,000 exit fee, so Harriers will continue to pay back £434 each month.

Fans unable to make the Woking clash can keep up with all the action with our live match blog on Saturday.

We will have team news before the 3pm kick-off, followed by a full-time match report and reaction.