WANT away defender Gavin Caines has pledged to work hard while he remains at Kidderminster Harriers.

The 26-year-old is searching for a new club after being given permission to leave by manager Steve Burr this summer.

Despite several teams showing interest the Birmingham born defender has yet to secure a move.

Caines played his first pre-season action of the summer on Tuesday night, when he came on as a substitute in the 3-2 loss at Solihull Moors.

It was his first appearance in a Harriers shirt since the FA Trophy semi-final first leg defeat to Stevenage in March.

Since then he was loaned out to Luton until the end of the campaign, where he did not make an appearance.

The defender joined the club last summer after five years at Cheltenham Town.

His Aggborough stay was extended because of an appearance clause in his contract.

“I’ve looked after myself over the summer. I’ve got back in and the first week’s been a good period of training and fitness,” commented Caines.

“I feel sharp, I just want to play more games and gain fitness for the start of the season for whatever happens.

“At the moment there’s not a lot going on. I spoke to a couple of clubs but there’s nothing that would really benefit me career-wise.

“I will be speaking to a couple of teams over the next couple of weeks and see what happens.

"If I don’t go anywhere, I will get my head down and work hard for the team and try and have a successful season if I’m still here. I didn’t play on Saturday and had 20 minutes at Solihull, so I have have to keep my fitness up if I move to someone else or stay here.”

While Caines searches for a new club, Martin Riley could be on the verge of a move to a Football League club.

The 21-year-old has not featured in either of Harriers’ first two friendlies, sparking rumours the former Wolverhampton Wanderer is close to an Aggborough exit.

Riley has made his intentions clear that he wants a move but Harriers can demand a compensation fee under the Bosman Ruling after offering him a new deal.

The money would come in handy as Harriers are looking to sign at least two strikers and a left-back.

Several trialists have given Burr food for thought. He took a good look at former Wrexham defender Mike WIlliams, who played 90 minutes in both friendlies.

Burr also cast his eye over strikers Paul Connor, Kristian Dennis and James McPike.

Assistant manager Gary Whild believes he and Burr will make a decision about a number of hopefuls after Saturday’s friendly at Nuneaton Town (3pm kick-off) and Tuesday’s game at Chasetown (7.45pm kick-off).

After the Solihull game, Whild said: “The result wasn’t what we were looking for, but as a friendly results don’t mean anything at this stage.

“We played better in the second half, with a good tempo and got some momentum to our game. I just think if you’re being critical we gave away three poor goals.

“We’re changing things around and lads are playing with guys they’ve never played with before. It’s better they get mistakes out of their system now. Overall, it was another good workout.

"This is only our second game in and most of them haven’t had 90 minutes yet.

“Maybe it’s another game on Saturday and we’ll have a look at trimming the squad down after that.”

Meanwhile, David McDermott, who played in Saturday’s loss to a full-strength West Bromwich Albion side, has decided to try his luck on trial at York City.

KHIST are holding a raffle with the main prize an executive box package for one match. Tickets costs £2 and can be bought at Harriers’ home friendlies from the club shop and sellers in the ground.