Harriers manager Mark Yates believes that Matthew Barnes-Homer's move to Luton was the right move for the club.

The striker moved to Kenilworth Road on for a month's loan today and will sign on for the Hatters at the start of January for a five figure fee.

Yates confirmed that Harriers were keen to hold onto the player for as long a possible but that the deal was too good to be resisted.

He insisted: "We as a club have not looked to get Matthew out of the club and we have not been the ones putting him about or doing anything other than try to keep him.

"In fact, the chairman has been holding out for quite a while now, saying that we're not interested and I think he was a bit fearful of what people would say and that the supporters would be disappointed but there comes a time when if the deal is right for the club and the player - and we're allowed to do one or two bits and pieces - it's right we don't deny Matthew the opportunity to speak to clubs.

"He has gone with my blessing - he has been fantastic for me for the last two and a half seasons.

"We managed to keep him in the summer when a lot of people were anticipating he'd leave.

"The club were very good to him and looked after him contract wise, but to do that we had to put a clause in his contract.

"I hope the fee comes out because we've actually exceeded the clause in his contract in terms of transfer fee and I think it's very good business for the football club, especially in the current climate.

"We don't pay the sort of wages that Luton pay and I think if someone wants to treble your wages, it's only right that you give that player a chance.

"It's been a long, drawn-out process and we've batted clubs off and hoped that it would come to nothing but it came to a head after the game on Tuesday.

"We gave Matthew permission to speak to them yesterday after trying to get the best possible we could for the benefit of the club.

"One thing I can assure supporters is that the chairman hasn't been coming to me saying we've got to do this - he's been fending it off to make sure we don't lose Matthew but things happen and people get to hear of things and that's no criticism, that's a fact of life.

"Richard Money has been brilliant along with Gary Brabin and they've done things properly."

Harriers have moved quickly to fill the void left by Barnes-Homer, who scored 21 goals last season and grabbed nine this campaign, with Ryan Charles joining from Luton and Kettering's Damien Spencer coming to Harriers on-loan.

"With losing a striker it was important we did something and the timing isn't perfect," added Harriers' manager.

"We've managed to secure two decent strikers - one as part of the deal. - Ryan Charles has come from Luton for a month to start with.

"He is a young lad and is one of the best finishers down there - he's a bundle of energy and is lively and quick.

"We've brought in Damian Spencer as well, I know him particularly well.

"He's a big, strong lad. He's quick and will work hard for us.

"I think we've done well - we have two good players in for a month and we can see where we go in January.

"They will give us different options - I've been told that there whatever we decide in January, the board will make the funds available to bring players in."