HARRIERS boss John Eustace insisted Darryl Knights had not been signed to replace any of the club's sought-after stars.

The 28-year-old returned to Aggborough on Tuesday, signing a deal until the end of the season from Solihull Moors where he won the National North title last season.

Creative catalyst Knights scored 17 goals in 129 appearances across a loan and a permanent spell with Kidderminster between January 2008 and the summer of 2010 when he left for Newport County.

The move further fuelled online speculation over January exits among the Harriers faithful, particularly on the back of CEO Colin Gordon revealing he anticipates bids and would sell if the club needed to.

But Eustace was adamant his swoop was no pre-emptive strike and that no discussions had been held over any departures.

The Harriers boss told the Shuttle: "I haven't had a conversation with Colin about any players leaving. He is the owner and chairman and whatever happens with that is up to him.

"Darryl arrives in with the ability to play three or four different positions. He has that flexibility, that is why we brought him in and I am delighted to get him in.

"He's a good age for us and brings that bit of experience having won the league last season with Solihull and hopefully, that will help our young group develop in the second half of the season.

"We are doing okay but as we get into the second half of the season, with us doing quite well, there might be a bit more pressure on the lads. If he is selected, that knowhow will help us on the pitch but it is also about what he brings off it as well because he has played a lot of games."

Knights is eligible to play as Kidderminster take a break from their National North promotion push on Saturday with league rivals AFC Telford United the visitors in the FA Trophy first round (3pm).

The competition is sometimes regarded as a hindrance to bigger non-league outfits but despite Harriers being in the thick of the promotion chase, Eustace does not see it that way.

"We take every game seriously and want to be very competitive in all of them," he said.

The tie is worth £5,000 in prize money with the winners four rounds from a Wembley final last experienced by Kidderminster in 2007.

Admission has been reduced to £10 for adults, £6 for concessions and £1 for children under the age of 16.