CENTREBACK Martin Riley's time at Harriers has came to an end, with League Two side Cheltenham Town thought to be the favourites to capture him.

The 21-year-old ended his two-year spell at Aggborough after agreeing a compensation deal with Harriers.

Riley had been offered a new contract to stay at the club and despite not signing, he was effectively in limbo because of the Bosman Ruling, which stated that Harriers were owed compensation for the defender.

However, the deal means the former Wolverhampton Wanderers defender is now a free agent and can join anyone he likes.

Riley is thought to be eager to team up with former Harriers boss Mark Yates.

Cheltenham have signed former Bristol Rovers defender Steve Elliott but it is thought Yates is keen to bring Riley on board as well.

Yates signed Riley for Harriers in the summer of 2008 after he was released by Wolves as back-up for Mark Creighton and Luke Jones.

However, Riley took his chance when he stood in for the suspended Jones and became Creighton's regular partner, as Harriers went on a fantastic run to the FA Cup third round and just missed out on a promotion play-off by one point.

However, he struggled to build a partnership with Gavin Caines last season as a youthful looking back-line paid the price for errors throughout the season.

Elsewhere, former Harriers forward Darryl Knights has joined Newport County, The former Ipswich man, who was not offered a new deal by Harriers this summer, joins Lee Baker and Robbie Matthews as the third Harrier to join the Welsh club.

Harriers boss Steve Burr is set to run the rule over the trialists in today's friendly at his former club Nuneaton (3pm kick-off).

He'll be looking for his first pre-season win of the summer as he looks at his striking options.