KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Ian Britton has allayed fans' fears that loan signings could harm the Nationwide League Division Three club's long term future.

So far this season Britton has paraded five loan players, including John Melligan, Kenny Coleman, Andy Bishop and Wes Morgan who are still at Aggborough.

Some supporters, however, have voiced their fears on Harriers' official website that players being drafted in on a temporary basis could prove detrimental to the club's future progress.

But Britton says: "I can't see how it is a gamble. The loan players we do have are all young lads who were watched on a regular basis before coming here. They had no League experience but they were all hungry for first team football.

"When these young lads do come here it is a great opportunity for them to enhance their reputations as they gain League experience. They have to do well for us to progress their careers. Everybody benefits. The loan players have been good for us and, in turn, we have been good for them."

Meanwhile, Harriers are preparing to re-sume their bid to clinch at least a play-off spot following the disappointment of having Saturday's match at Rochdale postponed because of a waterlogged pitch. Their enforced inactivity meant they dropped from eighth to 11th place in the table leaving them four points adrift of an automatic promotion spot and one point away from the play-off zone.

Harriers are back in action on Saturday at Cambridge United which starts a spell of three matches in eight days. A week tonight Shrewsbury Town will be the visitors to Aggborough with a home clash against struggling Swansea City beckoning the following Saturday.

The Shrews visit is expected to attract a seasonal best 'gate' in contrast to last Tuesday when only 2,006 turned up to watch Harriers' 1-0 win over Southend United.

It was only four more than Kidderminster's lowest League attendance of 2,002 for a game against York City in October 2001.

The match against the Shrews will be all-ticket for visiting fans only but, with only two sides of the ground open to home fans due to redevelopment work, they are urged to buy a ticket early to avoid disappointment with a near capacity crowd of 4,421 expected.