By Mat Kendrick

KIDDERMINSTER Harriers have added the final piece to their Conference jigsaw, for the time being, with the arrival of a mystery striker.

Boss Stuart Watkiss has ended his frustrating search for fresh firepower by snapping up a new frontman to partner Iyseden Christie.

Watkiss is reluctant to reveal the identity of the striker until the deal is officially signed and sealed on Monday.

But the Shuttle/Times & News understands that the player is a target man with an unnamed League One club.

He will initially arrive at Aggborough on a three-month loan spell with the possibility of extending his loan depending on his performances.

Ideally Watkiss would have preferred to sign a forward on a permanent deal, but the Harriers boss insists the short-term arrangement suits both Harriers and the player's parent club.

"This deal suits both parties," he said.

"We'll assess the situation at the end of December and see where we go from there.

"His club will obviously monitor him and if he does well they will probably want him to return there.

"Equally, if he doesn't do well then we've got the option of sending him back then.

"Considering the situation we've had to deal with over the summer I'm pleased to have this lad on board."

It completes a long drawn-out search for Watkiss who has missed out on several of his striking targets because of the power struggle at Aggborough.

During the summer he has pursued Crewe's former Harriers loan striker Andy White, who he knew from his time at Mansfield, to no avail.

Journeyman forward Martin Carruthers has also slipped through Harriers grasp.

Mark Rawle has also ruled out returning to Aggborough this season after being offered more attractive terms by Woking.

The capture of the unnamed striker takes Watkiss's squad to 21 following the signing of former Scunthorpe midfielder Wayne Graves earlier this week.

Graves has been brought in for his energy and adaptability, he can play across midfield or at right back, but he is still some way off match fitness.

"I'm glad to have brought Wayne here because he's got 150 games behind him and he's had a good breeding up at Scunthorpe where I know their youth team coach Paul Wilson very well.

"Once he's got his fitness levels up he's a very athletic lad and he will also be able to fill in for Wayne Evans at right back."

The 24-year-old has been pencilled in to play in tonight's friendly at Evesham, while Iyseden Christie, Simon Russell, Steve Burton and Laurie Wilson are also set to figure.

Scottish triallist Gary McPhee is also set to play some part as he tries to impress Watkiss.

This week's return of Bermuda-based backer Gordon Howard has been tinged with sadness following the death of his mother within hours of him landing in England.

Howard, Harriers' major investor and newly-appointed director, is still hoping to be introduced at the club's sponsors evening tonight.

Watkiss was on a scouting mission watching Harriers' opening day opponents Woking in a friendly against Southampton last night.

The Cards are just one of a handful of teams Watkiss expects to be involved in the forthcoming Conference promotion race.

"I believe they'll be up there because they're big and strong, they've got a decent budget and they did well last year," he said.

"Stevenage will probably have the biggest budget in the Conference and they just missed out last season.

"Hereford have been there or thereabouts for the past few seasons so I expect them to be strong.

"Exeter, I think will be a force to be reckoned with, Aldershot are tried and trusted and Grays will fancy their chances because they've spent a lot of money.

"Then there's the teams up north like Accrington and Morecambe so it's going to be very competitive.

"I've said all along, it's going to be the strongest Conference ever because there's so many full time teams now."