MIDFIELDER Matthew Bailey has joined Harriers on loan for a month, while wideman Michael Blackwood has joined Oxford United on loan until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old comes to Aggborough initially on a month's loan, which ends on March 1.

Bailey has been at the Championship side since the age of eight and was given a squad number by manager Mick McCarthy this season.

He has not played for the first team this season and goes straight into the squad for Saturday's home Blue Square Premier clash against Northwich Victoria.

Blackwood joins Harriers team-mate Justin Richards at Oxford until the end of the season.

The former Astwon Villa trainee, who was signed by Stuart Watkiss in the summer of 2005, has scored eight goals in 121 performances.

He helped Harriers reach the final of the FA Carlsberg Trophy in May, when they lost 3-2 to Stevenage Borough.

Blackwood has been mainly used on the left wing but has spent the last two months at left back.

With the deadline for transfers 12pm tonight manager Mark Yates has been busy. He has already signed forward Darryl Knights from Yeovil Town on loan until the end of the season.

Captain Stuart Whitehead has left Harriers after a mutual agreement to cancel his contract.