HARRIERS travel to Conference pace-setters Grays Athletic on Saturday with several fringe players forcing their way into boss Stuart Watkiss's first team reckoning, writes Mat Kendrick.

Watkiss was openly critical of his side after they scraped an exciting win over Canvey Island by the skin of their teeth last Friday.

And although the Aggborough boss has calmed down since his post-match slating of Harriers to subsequently praise his players for their fighting spirit, he is still contemplating changes.

Gareth Sheldon fired himself into contention with a four-goal burst in the midweek 5-3 friendly win at Tamworth and could replace out-of-sorts Simon Russell.

Lee Thompson also scored while Wayne Graves showed encouraging signs that he is approaching match fitness.

And with loan midfielder Simon Heslop rated only 50/50 with an ankle injury, there could be a space in the centre of the park for either of those two.

"A couple of the lads who have been out of the team have forced their way into my thoughts and it's always good to have those options," said Watkiss, who believes taking on Mark Stimson's Conference South champions will be a good barometer of Harriers' progress.

"Grays have got one of the biggest budgets, if not the biggest, in the Conference and they've got a good coach who has assembled a very good squad of up to 30 players.I've been hearing only good things about them from the reports."

Iyseden Christie (foot infection) is expected to be passed fit despite not training all week, but Michael Blackwood is out after a setback with his hamstring strain.

Meanwhile, Watkiss has called on Harriers travelling fans to continue their "tremendous support" at the Recreation Ground on Saturday.

"The away support is always tremendous and it doesn't seem to matter how many there are, they get behind us and are constantly chanting from minute one to minute 90," he added.