KIDDERMINSTER Harriers manager Gary Whild has said the trio of new signings does not mean star winger Marvin Johnson is set to leave the club.

The Aggborough outfit have been busy bolstering their small squad with a host of new forward players.

Redditch United striker Jamie Spencer and former Birmingham City hitman Akwasi Asante have joined until the end of the season.

Harriers have also agreed a pre-contract deal for winger Keyon Refell, who is currently playing for League of Wales side Port Talbot.

The 24-year-old former Cardiff City youngster will join once his international clearance comes through in January. He is set to sign until the end of the season and there is an option to extend his stay.

The attacking trio’s arrival has ignited fans’ fears that Johnson could follow Chey Dunkley and Nathan Blissett out in big money transfers.

However, Whild was keen to stress that is not the case.

He said: “These players tick all of our boxes.

“They are all guys who can help to improve the squad, take the club forward and fit in with our wages.

“They are young players who have the potential or are already good enough for this level.

“It’s also important to note that we needed to increase the size of the squad.

“Against Bradford we only had four substitutes and one of those was from the youth team.”

Dutch forward Asante has overcome a series of hamstring issues which hampered his time at the Blues. He made an appearance against Nacional in the Europa League and also had loan spells at Notts County and Shrewsbury, scoring for both clubs before injuries took hold.

But Whild confirmed the forward is fully recovered and needs to get match sharpness.

“Akwasi had a number of hamstring issues which hampered him at Birmingham and he went away and worked hard,” said Whild.

“He had a trial at Notts County but was advised to focus on getting fit.

“He has also had a number clubs interested in him but he wanted to join a club where he won’t just be sitting on the bench.

“He has played for good clubs like Birmingham, Notts County and Shrewsbury and also scored in the Football League so he’s got something about him.

Meanwhile, Harriers will face Altrincham at home in the FA Trophy Second Round on Saturday, January 10 after beating Bradford Park Avenue 4-1 on Monday.

The Bradford game had been controversially postponed at 1.45pm on Saturday because of a frozen pitch but the Reds swept past their Conference North opponents on Monday.

Harriers now kick-off their festive fixtures at home to Lincoln, which is the club’s first Saturday home game since November 1.

Harriers tackle Forest Green Rovers with a double header over Christmas, with a trip to the New Lawn on Boxing Day (1pm ko) and Aggborough on New Year’s Day (3pm ko).

Between that, they tackle Southport at home on December 28 (3pm ko).

Keep up with all the Christmas and New Year fixtures with The Shuttle’s live match updates.