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Gone: Gavin Hurren.

MANAGER Mark Yates began the summer clear-out at Kidderminster Harriers by releasing four players from the squad.

Yates told out of contract players Gavin Hurren, Jon Munday, Jonny Harkness and Michael Blackwood that they were surplus to requirements at Aggborough next season.

He also moved swiftly to secure winger Brian Smikle and striker Matthew Barnes-Homer on one-year deals, as he tries to build a squad capable of improving on this campaign's 13th place finish in the Blue Square Premier.

"We're trying to build a squad for next season that will have depth in quality," said Yates.

"We will have between 18 and 20 players in it. That's all you need unless you have a big budget.

"But we're trying to improve and make sure we have a better season.

"Gavin was a hard decision for me. I like him as a person and he's done well at times for us this season but we thought it was time he moved on."

Of the quartet which have left, Hurren is the most high profile departure after being a first team regular for much of his three-year stay at the club.

Shake-up sees quartet depart

The defender made 101 appearances, scored eight goals for Harriers and had started the final 12 matches of the season alongside captain Mark Creighton in central defence.

Munday only played three times for Harriers, before spending the second half of the season at Worcester City, while Blackwood, who joined Harriers in 2005, has been loaned out to Oxford United since January.

Northern Irish left-back Harkness only appeared in a handful of games this season and was also loaned out to Worcester. He is set to sign for Irish League side Linfield.

Mark Yates has also offered Iyseden Chrstie, Simon Russell, Andy Ferrell and keeper Dean Coleman new deals to stay at Aggborough.

The quartet have yet to put pen to paper as Harriers try to rebuild the squad for next season.

"We want them to be part of what we're trying to build for next season and that's why we've offered them contracts," said the manager.

"They've all got something to offer us and it's a process we want to complete as soon as we can."

Meanwhile the players on-loan at Harriers - Darryl Knights (Yeovil Town), Alex Jeannin (Oxford United), Dean Bennett (Chester), Michael Wylde (Cheltenham) and Jake Moult (Plymouth Argyle), have returned to their parent clubs.

Yates is hoping to talk to Knights, who has started 12 games for Harriers since joining in January, next week in a bid to sign him.

The 19-year-old scored four goals for Harriers and is out of contract at Yeovil.

Harriers could also be interested in defender Luke Jones, who was released by Shrewsbury this week.

The 22-year-old centre back made a big impact during a six-game loan at Harriers in February and March.

Yates said: "Darryl is one that we're particularly interested in and we're speaking to him and his agent soon.

"We've already spoken to a number of our targets since Saturday with a view to bringing them here but it takes time, we're not kidding ourselves on that.

"We know what a decent player Luke Jones is and we are aware he has been released but nothing else has happened."

To read the match report for Harriers' 3-0 loss to Woking in the league click here.

9:14am Thursday 1st May 2008

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