KIDDERMINSTER Harriers could be without experienced midfielder Mark Blake for up to three weeks.

The 30-year-old is suffering from hamstring trouble, which forced him to be substituted shortly after he equalised for Harriers in Saturday's 1-1 Nationwide League Division Three draw with Mansfield Town at Aggborough.

Boss Jan Molby said: "It's a blow. Even when he's not playing well he's influential, but we've put together a big squad and we're obviously having to use one or two early on because of suspension and injury. But that's all part of the game."

Another current casualty is defender Scott Stamps who is battling to overcome an ankle injury.

He also had to be substituted during the second- half on Saturday when his replacement Ian Joy came on for his debut.

Already ruled out for up to ten weeks is rookie defender Lee Ayres who suffered a badly broken toe in the 2-1 defeat against Hull City at Boothferry Park.

The setback to Blake follows a number of injuries, which have forced Harriers players onto the treatment table recently, including Ian Foster (ankle), Tony Bird (groin), Drewe Broughton (groin) and Dean Bennett (hip).

Another is goalkeeper Stuart Brock (back) who has been praised by Molby for the way he has responded to the challenge of becoming Harriers number one.

Speculation had been rife at the start of the season that the Harriers chief would be looking to sign a new keeper to fill the gap created by released veteran Tim Clarke.

Twenty-four year-old Brock, however, has produced a number of impressive displays to repay the faith shown in him by the Aggborough management.

Molby said: "Our need for a goalkeeper was blown out of all proportion.

"Brock's got a lot of qualities. He's not a show-boating keeper, he does the minimum. He never looks like he makes world-class saves but the way he reads and anticipates shots is excellent.

"I know we are only five games in but he's proved himself in terms of a Third Division keeper."

Brock, formerly on Aston Villa and Northampton Town's books, is one of two keepers Harriers have in their ranks. The other is Irishman Brendan Murphy, who has had spells with Bradford City, Wimbledon and Dundalk.

Meanwhile, Harriers have signed 18-year-old prospect Gareth Picknell from Dr Martens League Western Division outfit Bloxwich United.

The defender, who only joined Bloxwich in the summer from Hednesford Town, will be given his chance to impress through Harriers under-19 set-up.