The young centre-half made the substitutes bench for the first time in the Football League at home to Huddersfield on April 12, 2004, but did not feature.

McHale's impressive youth-team displays had marked him down as one for the future and director of football Jan Molby handed him professional non-contract terms until the end of the season.

Although not the quickest, his positional play and reading of the game have impressed Harriers' management.

McHale played in the ill-fated 2-1 defeat to Sutton Coldfield in the Worcestershire Senior Cup but is still primed for his first-team chance.

This season: 1 substitute appearance.

Status: Substitute.