A MIDFIELD injury crisis has plunged Kidderminster Harriers' plans for their toughest away trip yet into chaos.

Harriers will travel to promotion-chasing Stevenage Borough on Saturday without Simon Russell, Martin O'Connor and Gareth Sheldon.

All three players featured in Harriers' midfield at some point during their 2-1 home defeat to Exeter City in the Conference on Saturday.

But wide-man Russell is out for at least three months with a severely broken wrist and veteran anchorman O'Connor checks into hospital for a knee clean-up operation this week.

Sheldon, used as a forward or on the flank, has a hamstring problem so Watkiss will be asking the board for funds in order to increase his options in the engine room.

He admitted: "In terms of personnel, midfield is our weak department and that's with Martin. With Martin out, it depletes us that little bit more.

"With both Sheldon and O'Connor off, our midfield looks a little bit lightweight because Lee Thompson isn't a midfield player, Simon Heslop's an 18-year-old who's making his way and Laurie Wilson is a very inexperienced player.

"We've lost a couple of players in (Wayne) Evans and (Steve) Burton. I'll be going to the board to see whether we can bring others in.

"I don't want to say too much but the financial position may dictate that we are not able to. I think the fans have to realise that."

O'Connor is likely to be out for two weeks but Michael Blackwood should return on the left at Stevenage and fellow summer signing Wayne Graves is finally nearing fitness.

Watkiss said: "We talk about the team being stop-start and Graves has been a little bit like that. He keeps getting minor injuries.

"He's had a couple of reserve games but looks like he needs another two or three before he's ready. But it may be that he has to be thrown in at the deep end."

The problems could hardly come at a worse time with another high-flier York City coming up on November 19 after the Stevenage game.

Watkiss continued: "We've got a spell where we play the top teams. If you think Exeter play at a tempo, Stevenage probably play at a quicker tempo at home.

"It's arguably the hardest place to go to in the Conference. They're very hard to beat down there. We know we are in for a right battle."

Defence should at least be settled although Mark Jackson needed stitches to a head wound and Daryl Burgess is playing through a thigh injury that is restricting his training.

Watkiss added: "It will be a bit like Emergency Ward 10 here for the next few days."