MIDFIELD general Dean Keates has warned his Kidderminster Harriers team-mates it is time to "Grow up and become men".

At 26, Keates is one of the elder statesmen in the Aggborough dressing room with many of his colleagues aged 21 or under.

But although boss Jan Molby has assembled a relatively inexperienced squad, Keates insists they can't use their tender years as an excuse.

"We are a young team, but we've got to grow up and become men quick," he said.

"If you're good enough you're old enough and we've got to become stronger characters.

"If we go a goal down we've got to take it on the chin and grind out a result.

"Throughout the week you can see that we've got good young players, but we need to be collectively better as a team.

"We need to help each other out and back each other up."

Keates was a lone voice in the dressing room as Molby asked his players to speak out during a 45-minute post-match post mortem after the 3-0 loss at Lincoln.

And the former Walsall and Hull man believes his team-mates need to start speaking up for themselves on and off the pitch.

"I've played in a few teams where we've had success and promotion and there's been players prepared to say their piece," said Keates.

"It's something I've picked up throughout my careers. When something's not right, you've got to be prepared to say it.

"You do need to have a few voices in the dressing room and hopefully the lads here will learn that."

Keates has called on Kidderminster to roll their sleeves up and display more fighting spirit, starting against high-flying Scunthorpe at Aggborough on Saturday. We've got to stop falling apart in games and start taking the knocks, bouncing back and getting our heads up," he said.

"We've got to get ready for our next match because we need three points. Whether it's a great performance or not, a scrappy result will be received with open arms.

"It can go in off somebody's backside with a minute left as long as we win and turn the tide."

Keates' form has been a rare silver lining in Kidderminster's cloudy outlook recently, and he is gradually getting back to his best after injury.

"I'm feeling a little bit stronger," he added. "Up until the Macclesfield game I hadn't trained for three weeks with my ankle, but I've trained for 10 days on the bounce now.

"I'm feeling a lot sharper and better so it's just a case of regaining my match fitness.

"There's still room for improvement so I've got to continue working hard," added Keates.

Defender Abdou Sall returns after a three-match ban on Saturday, while injured strikers Iyseden Christie and Yossou Diop are set to play some part.

Right back Reuben Hazell, who is still to make his competitive debut for Harriers, has been booked in for surgery on his knee early next week.