Mark Yates made a rare appearance against Worcester

Yates, his assistant Neil Howarth and physio Ian Foster all played in Monday night's 3-2 defeat at St Georges Lane.

But Yates defended the decision, claiming: "We have a hectic schedule ahead, and I simply couldn't afford any more injuries to key players."

Harriers have five league games in 11 days starting at Exeter on Saturday.

Yates, Howarth and Foster all turned out (the latter two scoring) in the 5-0 Worcestershire Senior Cup quarter final win over Stourport Swifts in January which earned Harriers their place in the semi.