GARY Whild admits Kidderminster Harriers are set for a battle as they push for the Skrill Premier play-offs.

Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw at Aldershot lifted the Aggborough outfit back into the top five to keep their resurgence alive.

Harriers are in fifth-place with 58 points but with in-form Forest Green and Grimsby trailing by just a point with games in hand, the promotion race is shaping up to be very tight.

Whild was pleased with his players’ hard work after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Barnet and the mid-week stalemate.

Kidderminster now face relegation battling Southport on Saturday at home (3pm ko).

He said: “I thought we were the more likely to win the game compared to Aldershot, who didn’t seem that interested in attacking.

“Now we’ve got a tough game against Southport, who are desperate to try and stay in the league.

“There will be pressure on us to win because we’re the home side but we’ve been used to that for a number of years.

“With the number of teams chasing the top five it’s going to be an exciting end to the season.”

Whild is keeping his fingers crossed that he will have several important players available.

Kyle Storer (hip/groin) and Adrian Cieslewicz (ankle) were not risked on Tuesday but could be ready for a return.

Top-scorer Michael Gash was left out of the squad after picking up a sickness bug but hopefully will be available to face the Sandgrounders.

Defender Chey Dunkley has successfully come through his minor surgery to clean up his knee.

Former Leicester City midfielder Aman Verma looks on the verge of joining Harriers.

The 25-year-old had a brief spell at Aggborough at the start of the 2010-11 campaign which was curtailed by a hand injury.

He has played for a host of clubs, including Stockport, Kettering and most recently Corby.

Meanwhile, striker Ryan Rowe’s Harriers career looks finished after he was sent on loan to Brackley until the end of the season.

The Cookley-based forward, whose deal at the club ends in the summer, was signed from Stourbridge for an initial £12,500 plus add ons.

Despite scoring 13 goals in 55 appearances he failed to nail down a regular spot.

Fans unable to attend Harriers’ clash with Southport can follow the action with The Shuttle’s live updates.