SKIPPER Ian Clarkson will be missing for Kidderminster Harriers when they set out on a revenge mission against Carlisle United in tonight's LDV Vans Trophy first round clash at Aggborough (7.45).

The experienced defender is ruled out because of a hamstring injury which forced him to be substituted at half time in Saturday's home 2-0 FA Cup second round defeat against the Cumbrians.

Aggborough boss Jan Molby does not intend to make wholesale changes in the wake of Saturday's bitterly disappointing performance, but is likely to draft recent recruits Neil Mackenzie and Parfait Medou-Otye into the starting line-up.

He had planned to do so last Tuesday when the tie had to be postponed because of waterlogged pitch.

Midfielder Mac-kenzie has made three appearances as a substitute following his move from Cambridge United while French utility player Medou-Otye has yet to make his bow.

Still ruled out with groin trouble is midfielder Paul Webb who is likely to be out for the best part of ten days, although he has returned to training following manipulation treatment last week.

Front-runner Ian Foster has recovered from a hamstring injury and is in contention after being on the bench on Saturday.

"The reason why he wasn't used was he needs open spaces and room to run in to and it wasn't that kind of game," explained Molby.

Tonight's match is not expected to attract a big crowd, but Molby is anxious for his side to bounce back to winning ways after Saturday's poor display.

He said: "We keep telling the players we can only do so much for them and they have got to have something themselves that they bring to the games. One of those things is the ability to motivate yourself for whatever match.

"You don't know where this is going to take us if we beat Carlisle tonight. There have been plenty of Third Division teams in the finals of this competition and obviously if you get anywhere near the final all of a sudden it becomes a bigger and more important tournament."

Molby, whose side also lost 1-0 to the Cumbrians in a Division Three clash at Aggborough on September 2, added: "We would dearly love to beat them tonight if only just to get over this hurdle we have got with Carlisle.

"I don't know how they are going to approach it, but obviously whatever team we put out will be geared to win it."

Facing his former club again will be striker John Durnin who has yet to break his scoring 'duck' at Aggborough.

Since his move to Harriers he has notched four goals in nine appearances -- all on opposition territory. On Saturday he rarely got a look in against Carlisle's solid defence which has restricted Molby's men to only a handful of scoring chances in the two matches they have played against each other so far this season.

Their fourth and final appearance against the Cumbrians this term will be at Brunton Park in a Division Three match on Saturday, February 3.

The Aggborough pitch passed an inspection this morning but with further rain expected later today, fans are advised to check with the club before setting out.

Kidderminster (from): Brock, Smith, Stamps, Shail, Hinton, Horne, Bogie, Ducros, Durnin, Hadley, Mackenzie, Bennett, Medou-Otye, Foster, Clarke, Bird.