MITCH Ward has declared himself fit to start tomorrow's Division Three home clash against Kidderminster Harriers.

The former Everton and Sheffield United midfielder played an hour of Wednesday's 4-2 reserve victory over Darlington and suffered no reaction to the hamstring and calf problems that have kept him sidelined since last month's FA Cup clash against Barnsley.

And Ward, 32, says he will be ready to face Jan Molby's Kidderminster side if selected with Richard Cooper the most likely player to make way.

He said: "I'm fit enough to start but it depends on how the gaffer wants to pick his team. The reserve game was just a matter of getting through injury free and it was fine so hopefully I can play some part against Kidderminster."

With City drawing seven of their last nine matches, Ward also appreciates the need to start winning games again.

He said: "We need to start picking up three points starting tomorrow because that would set us up nicely for the Hull game which everybody is looking forward to. I don't think the matches over Christmas are too difficult and they are all games we can win."

Ward will be one of six midfield players competing for three first-team spots over the Christmas period along with Lee Bullock, Darren Dunning, Mitch Ward, Christian Fox, Stephen Brackstone and Bryan Stewart.

Such competition for places in the middle of the park pleases player-boss Chris Brass, who said: "We have got an abundance of players in there now and, tactically, we could go with one or two different shapes. It's bringing the competition back that we had at the start of the season."

Ward agrees with his manager's sentiments, saying: "It gives the gaffer a bit of a headache but it's good competition. You need a big squad especially over the Christmas period."

Youth-team graduate Matthew Coad, who made his Football League debut at Darlington, will also return to the squad for the December 28 trip to Rochdale after serving his three-match ban.

Coad's presence will increase Brass' midfield options further and Ward said: "He seems to have done well. I've missed the away games since I've been injured so I was not at Darlington but, by all accounts, he did well and from what I have seen in training he looks a good prospect."

City's youth team are without a game and will next play in the new year.

Updated: 09:58 Saturday, December 20, 2003