NEW boss Mark Yates says he's relishing the challenge of leading Kidderminster Harriers into the final months of the campaign.

Yates made his return to Aggborough this week after being named manager until the end of the season.

The 49-year-old is no stranger to the Reds having twice played for the club and also previously managed the team between 2006 and 2009.

He has taken charge of Cheltenham, Crawley, Macclesfield and Solihull Moors since leaving the managerial post at Aggborough and returns looking to bring a spark to the club’s final 14 games.

He has taken this week’s training sessions ahead of Saturday's trip to Ashton United but will oversee his first matchday when Harriers entertain Chester on February 9 owing to previous commitments.

Yates is determined to get Kidderminster back on track to end the campaign with a flurry.

He said: "We've already had a couple of really good training sessions and everything is really positive.

"I'm not coming into a club in crisis that is near the relegation zone but am at a club that is just two points off the play-off places.

"We've just lost our way a little bit recently and need to get back on track.

"It's now a 14-game mini season for us and that's how we need to look at it. It's an exciting challenge.

"It's a good group here, even though we have a lot on the treatment table at the moment. That's something we'll have to contend with. It's not a case of overloading the players that has caused it, it's just a lot of impact injuries.

"We'll just have to get on with it and it'll mean that others have a big chance to stake their own claim.

"We have a group that has the right desire and certainly the talent. We just seem to have lost our tempo and energy a little bit.

"It's now about finding ways to win games and getting the balance right.

"I think we have been guilty of passing the ball for the sake of passing it sometimes. We'll be working on making sure we have an end product to that now.

"Honestly, I don't think we're too far away from that already. It won't happen straight away but we are close to where we need to be. It's just about tweaking those few things that make a difference."

Harriers are hoping one of Brandon Hall and Tom Palmer will be fit to challenge on-loan Birmingham City stopper Jake Weaver for the number one jersey this weekend.

Key attacker Ed Williams is also closer to a return from injury.