Yates is going to be working with a much-changed squad this summer

Kidderminster boss Mark Yates has defended the pre-season schedule which sees Harriers play nine games before their Blue Square Premier opener.

Harriers, who beat Bromyard Town 14-0 on Friday, face newly promoted Hayes and Yeading on 8 August.

"It is just a case of getting back to playing on that big pitch," Yates said.

"We can do all the training we like but this is a way of breaking them in by giving them 45 minutes each, so it is just another training session, really."

He added: "We will have a number of trialists playing as well as a number of the young boys from the youth team and I am looking forward to it."

Harriers opened their pre-season programme with the demolition of West Midlands League club Bromyard.

They then followed this up on Saturday with a 3-0 victory at Bewdley Town which sets them up for their trip to Southern League Midlands division neighbours Stourport Swifts on Tuesday at 1945 BST.

Their warm-up games include a Worcestershire Senior Cup final date against Evesham United.

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