CENTRE back Tom Sharpe is hoping his fine showing against Rushden and Diamonds was enough to have kept his place in the team for Harriers' Blue Square Bet Premier trip to Histon on Saturday.

The 22-year-old made his first start in 12 games in the mid-week 1-0 win over promotion-chasing Rushden and produced a mature display as Harriers kept only their third clean sheet of the campaign.

Sharpe found himself in the side because of Mark Albrighton's ankle injury but the former Nottingham Forest trainee is hoping he's done enough to play against strugglers Histon.

He joked: "I'll make sure I will mention to the manager that we got a clean sheet when he's picking team for Saturday.

"I'm just happy to be part of the team and if it means a clean sheet that's even better.

"All I can do is play to the best of my ability and then it's up the gaffer at the end of the day, if he keeps me in the side I will be delighted and if he doesn't I will get my head down and wait for my next chance."

Harriers will have extra incentive to bag their first at struggling Histon, who are 17th in the table.

Manager Steve Burr's troops have lost just twice in 13 league games and are handily placed in eighth spot, just three points off the play-off places. A big win on and results going there way could put them in touching distance of the play-offs.

However, Harriers have only won twice away from home all season a stat which Sharpe believes can be improved upon at the weekend.

"We've got to push on for Saturday against one of the teams you would hope to be beating.

"We didn't get off to the best of starts but we knew once we started playing well results would come.

"We've got right in the mix and if we cement ourselves in the play-offs, who know what will happen.

"It's alright beating the good side but we've got to start winning away from home.

"It's about avoiding draws and a win could put us in the play-offs."

Burr may well throw new signing Jamille Matt into is squad for Saturday's clash after he signed from Evo-Stik League outfit Sutton Coldfied Town yesterday.

Aaron Griffiths available after is three-match ban but Jack Byrne and Ollie Thorne are still suspended.

Harriers' opponents have hit some decent form in recent weeks, picking up 11 points from their last five league matches to move away from the relegation zone.

Shuttle Online will have live match updates for tomorrow's league clash (3pm kick-off).