A FEW choice words from boss Stuart Watkiss have certainly done the trick for forward Gary Birch who has hit his best form in a Kidderminster Harriers shirt.

Birch scored in Harriers' last two games before today's home clash with Chester City, despite nursing a knee injury and playing in midfield.

The 23-year-old signing from Walsall was publically accused by Watkiss of failing to pull his weight seven games into his stay at Aggborough.

But now the Harriers manager admits: "He deserves a lot of credit for just getting through the last two or three games, never mind scoring twice.

"We know Gary needs an operation and it's just a case of nursing his knee.

"It was ironic that both the goals came from midfield though but he may well find himself back up front against Chester."

Birch has been working on his finishing in training and is now aiming to hit double figures by the end of the season to help Harriers stay up.

He said: "When any manager comes out in the press and says something like that you've got to take a long, hard look at yourself."

Striker Iyseden Christie and defender Reuben Hazell have joined in training sessions.

Watkiss added: "It's a major boost to have them on the training ground. When they are both fit, it will be like having two new signings.

"Iyseden may find himself thrown in at the deep end as soon as he can play, possibly on the bench."