GARY Whild has been pleased by the progress Kidderminster Harriers have been making in the build-up to the Vanarama National League.

The Reds have had a busy week with three games in the space of four days.

A very strong starting XI recorded an encouraging 1-1 draw against Birmingham City at Aggborough on Saturday.

Kiddy then played two games in as many days as a mixed squad lost 3-0 on penalties to Redditch United at the Valley Stadium on Monday night in the Worcestershire Senior Cup.

Dan Sweeney’s late goal had cancelled out Luke Shearer’s opener as the sides drew 1-1, but Harriers missed all four penalties.

Reece Styche made it three goals in pre-season when he bagged a leveller in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Gloucester City which was held at Evesham’s Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium.

This is the first season that the Worcestershire Senior Cup, which Harriers won last season, has been played as a summer competition but it has proved to be disruptive for the club, who had to cancel a fans’ forum on Monday night.

“So far I think pre-season has gone well, we’ve got some good results and performances against West Bromwich and Birmingham City,” said Whild.

“We’ve had one or two slip ups against Stourport Swifts and Redditch when we couldn't put out the first team.

“We wanted to send a side to Stourport because they are a local club but we had a game against West Brom as well.

“Unfortunately, the game against Redditch was only two days after Birmingham and we didn't want to risk any injuries.

“We wanted to take the Worcestershire Senior Cup seriously, like we did last year, and we were happy to play the game later in the week but there was no flexibility and couldn’t change it.

“We are half way through pre-season and it’s all about building up to the first game of the season.”

Meanwhile, Whild said an injection of cash will be needed if trialists are to be signed.

Adam Dawson and Dean Snedker have featured heavily and caught the eye but Harriers are working under a very strict budget.

Harriers are still looking for a back-up goalkeeper, winger and left-back.

Kidderminster may also use their relationship with Birmingham to bring in players on loan. Whild may also send out a player on loan – if the move is right.

The manager joked: “If the fans see players they like then I hope they come along and buy some more season tickets!”

“We know what budget we have to work with and will remain within it.

“We won’t just send young players out on loan for the sake of it – when we’ve done it in the past it has been good for the player and the club and they’ve come back better for it.”

On-loan West Brom keeper Alex Palmer has overcome his thigh problem, while Snedker is okay after an eye injury against Gloucester.

Harriers will field a young team for the Senior Cup third-place play-off at Evesham on Saturday (11am ko), with the senior squad set for extra training ahead of Tuesday’s home friendly against Shrewsbury (7.45pm ko).

l Season tickets will be available from Tuesday.