Caines appeared in 143 league games for Cheltenham

Kidderminster's new signing Gavin Caines says he has no qualms about dropping into non-league football.

Caines, 25, spent five years playing in the Football League with Cheltenham but left them this summer.

He told BBC Hereford and Worcester: "I have been here for a month now, and the quality is as good as at a lot of league clubs.

"We have played a couple of league teams in pre-season, and we have been the better team."

"With the players we have here, everyone will be looking to get back in the league, there's not much difference."

Even though I am a central defender, I still like to get the ball down and play at the same time, and the way we are playing it's great to watch Kidderminster defender Gavin Caines

Caines admits the likes of supposedly bigger clubs Luton Town and Oxford United will be favourites for the title, but insists that Harriers can be up with the leading teams.

"We fancy our chance if we can keep everyone fit, and get a bit of luck on our side, and if we do we can be up there with those two teams," he said.

"You come in and you look at a few things including the way the teams play, and sometimes managers are not the sort of people you want to play for.

"But [manager] Mark Yates lets you play and he's a good guy, and the way the teams plays is the way I like to play.

"Even though I am a central defender, I still like to get the ball down and play at the same time, and the way we are playing it's great to watch."

Yates also signed youth team players Zac Costello and Nathan Hayward on 12-month contracts.

Liam Dolman has also agreed a one-year contract while goalkeeper Jasbir Singh has signed a short-term deal with the club.

Kidderminster Harriers start the Blue Square Premier season at home to Hayes and Yeading at Aggborough on Saturday at 1500 BST.

There will be full coverage on BBC Hereford and Worcester in Sport on Saturday with Trevor Owens.

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