In a tight corner

City now have the unwanted accolade of being the lowest scoring side in Division Three with only 29 goals scored so far, but with Harriers only netting 30, Brass knows it is unlikely to be a free-scoring match.

He said: "The pleasing aspect for me is that we got back to creating the chances again on Wednesday (at Oxford) and we have done - we just haven't been able to kill them off.

"I think Kidderminster have suffered the same fate so both teams will be going for it. I think it will be a tight affair because of the statistics of the goals conceded and goals for so it might be a little 1-0 nick and we'll take that. I'd happily take 1-0 every game as long as it was for us.

"They always do exceptionally well at home. They change their formation and they certainly go for it so we will have to make sure we are aware but I think we showed how resolute we can be against Oxford and as long as we take that going in on Saturday we have an optimistic chance and it's one of those games when both teams really need the points to steady themselves and we'll be going for it."

Darren Edmondson and Richard Hope will both undergo fitness tests this afternoon and could be included in the squad if they come through it.

Chris Smith, meanwhile, will return to the back three after being kept out of the starting line-up so he could get an outside view of the organisational role he will have to fill in the absence of player-boss Brass, who starts his four-match ban tomorrow.

"Fingers crossed they will be back," said Brass. "They were touch and go for Wednesday and with the injuries we had we couldn't risk them. The extra 48 hours will have done them good and we will check on them today and as long as they come through that they will come into the squad.

"But the lads who played on Wednesday night did well and I've always stated that if you play well you deserve to keep your shirt so there will certainly be plenty of opportunity there."

Updated: 11:04 Friday, March 05, 2004