SKIPPER Wayne Hatswell's consistency makes him a role model for his team-mates, according to Kidderminster Harriers number two Gary Barnett.

The rugged 29-year-old centre-half, Ian Britton's final signing before he was sacked, has been a revelation and is sure to be a prime player-of-the-season contender.

Hatswell is the pillar Harriers have built their successful Division Three survival bid on, missing just one game through suspension and scoring his second goal for the club in Saturday's fine 1-1 draw at promotion-chasing Torquay.

And assistant boss Barnett admitted: "Wayne's been very steady for the majority of our games and has produced performances to a very consistent level.

"His mentality is to keep his standards to a certain level in training day-in-day-out and in games week-in-week-out. He's still learning, improving and is certainly one player that has progressed.

"He's an aggressive player who helps to drive on those around him. We've been very pleased with him."

The player-of-the-season accolades, including the Shuttle Star Man award, will be handed out on Saturday before the final Division Three game with rejuvenated Boston at Aggborough.

With 15 men out-of-contract, director of football Jan Molby and Barnett are mostly decided on their futures with contract talks set for next week.

Centre-half Abdou Sall returns from suspension this weekend and loan striker Leon Clarke is over a foot injury, while keeper John Danby should be fit after resting a swollen knee suffered at Torquay.

Barnett said: "We are looking at who we can and cannot have here for next season. It's a matter of balancing it all up and getting the right gel to the team.

"The majority of decisions have been made over our players but there's always one or two that you still have to totter over in your mind.

"You always have to look at the whole squad as there's plenty of different types of matches in Division Three and sometimes it's a case of a horses for courses approach.

"The attitude and commitment of the players in certain games has been very good. Obviously, we've had our blips but have managed to respond positively, like at Torquay following the Rochdale defeat.

"After the defeat at Doncaster, we all knew we had to have a good look at ourselves and started working that little bit harder. We haven't let things fester after a poor result and have just got on with it."

And, of the challenge posed by Saturday's opponents Boston, Barnett added: "They are a very difficult, uncompromising side.

"I wouldn't imagine it will be the most entertaining of games. We have to make sure we deal with the physical side but are brave enough to play our football.

"We need to make sure we come out with three points to finish in a reasonable league position."