ILLNESS has crept into the Aggborough camp to give Kidderminster Harriers a bigger headache ahead of another huge clash.

Defender Simon Weaver, midfielder Simon Russell and striker Gary Birch have all been sent home with 'flu symptoms, forcing manager Stuart Watkiss to cancel a training session this week.

Mark Jackson, Dean Keates, Tom Bennett, Mark Rawle and Lee Jenkins have also been nursing injuries but should be fit to face promotion-chasing Yeovil Town at Aggborough on Saturday.

Jenkins will hope to replace right-back Weaver, while skipper Wayne Hatswell is intent on a quick recall that would mean Johnny Mullins switching to the flank instead.

Six-goal joint top scorer Ian Foster, who has not started a game since mid-February, has been ordered to rest a knee injury as Harriers hunt for a vital three points in their pursuit of Rushden and Diamonds.

A Kidderminster defeat and victory for Rushden at home to mid-table Boston United would increase the gap to a daunting seven points, effectively eight due to goal difference, with just three games to go.

Though reliant on Rushden slipping up, Watkiss is determined to keep Harriers in the frame until the final day of the season on Saturday, May 7, at Northampton Town.

He insisted: "It would be wrong to be too pessimistic. We are still in there fighting with all to play for."

Meanwhile, Watkiss was not expecting any joy from his report to the Football Association over the controversial performance of the referee in the Bury game.

Northumberland official Clive Oliver angered the Harriers boss and fans with his decisions in the 2-2 weekend draw.

But Watkiss admitted: "The report goes to the FA and I can request to speak to the main refereeing fellow. But ultimately I don't think any good will come from it."