BOSS Neil MacFarlane is targeting a productive festive period to help fire Harriers firmly back into the automatic promotion picture.

Kidderminster are just five points off current leaders Chorley despite a winless November.

They moved on from that with victory over Brackley nearly two weeks ago and will now welcome 15th placed Curzon Ashton to Aggborough at the start of the busy Christmas and new year schedule.

Boxing Day's away clash at Hereford and the reverse fixture on New Year's Day will bookend a trip to Stockport on December 29.

MacFarlane says his side are more than capable of going on another run similar to their unbeaten nine-game spell at the start of the campaign.

He said: "We trained really hard last week and again at the weekend and are all ready to get back to action again.

"We had a weekend off before the Brackley win so hopefully we can get the same result now. It was disappointing not to go again after such a good victory but it could work out well with the amount of games we now have in such a small amount of time.

"If we can start this Christmas period well then there is no reason why we can't put a little run together and really kick on heading into the new year.

"It's a really tight league and a really competitive league this season but we are in a good position.

"Hopefully we can strengthen the squad in January but this group have shown they are capable of going on a right good run.

"They are more than capable of doing that again, especially if we can start this Christmas period properly."

Harriers have been handed a pre-Christmas injury boost with the return of skipper Jimmy O'Connor.

The experienced defender has been suffering with a calf issue but could now makes a timely return.

MacFarlane added: "Everyone is fit are raring to go and keeping the squad fit and firing has been a big reason why we have done so well this season.

"We are running with a tight squad but everyone is available now and we have the group in the place that we want them in term of their fitness and what we are working towards on the field."