KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' rookie striker Matt Lewis, tipped by former boss Jan Molby as a 'potential £1million player', is facing a make-or-break season at Aggborough.

Harriers are anxious for the 19-year-old to make a major impact this term and live up to the billing given him by ex-Liverpool star Molby.

With money for players restricted, hard-up Kidderminster would dearly love Lewis to become a regular first teamer following the close-season departures of front-runners Drewe Broughton, Ian Foster and on-loan Andy Bishop.

Aggborough manager Ian Britton said: "I spotted him at Marconi and recommended him to Jan.

"The one thing that stood out was that he had a natural eye for goal and had bags of potential.

"However, there comes a time when you have to stop talking about potential - and that time has now come for Matt.

"He's done well in youth and reserve matches for us and has also scored a number of goals when he has been out on loan at lower league sides.

"However, scoring goals at youth and non-league level of football is a totally different kettle of fish to playing regularly in the Third Division.

"Matt knows he still has a lot of work to do. He needs to build up his physical strength and improve his work rate.

"If he does that then there is no reason why he can't fulfil that potential."

Lewis became Harriers youngest ever player to perform in the Football League when he made his debut against York City in October 2001.

The youngster scored goals in loan spells at Evesham and Solihull in the Dr Martens Western Division last season but did make have much of an impact at higher-rated Bath City in the Dr Martens Premier Division.

n Kidderminster Harriers Carling Cup date for the first round tie against Ipswich is Wednesday, August 13, while their Division Three visit to York City has been moved back 24 hours so they will play on Sunday, December 21.