SHAUN Cunnington has found a novel way of restoring hunger to the Harriers squad - by treating them to a nosh up at his restaurant.

The collective meal was one of the personal methods the caretaker boss has introduced as he bids to stamp his mark at Aggborough .

Cunnington owns an eatery in Droitwich and after being thrown in at the managerial deep end after Jan Molby's resignation last week, he quickly gave his players food for thought.

After putting them through their paces at training invited them for a slap up meal to improve team spirit in the camp.

"I took them to my restaurant on Friday for a pre-match meal with pasta and everything and it's something I might consider doing again even though we lost," said the former Grimsby, West Brom and Sunderland midfielder.

"They've got to have a togetherness and getting them to eat together was one way of instilling that in them.

"Without them sticking together it's going to be very difficult to get out of the situation we're in.

"The players are well aware of it and they've got to take some responsibility and do something about it."

Although Molby's number two Gary Barnet has stayed on for the purpose of continuity, Cunnington is anxious to do things his own way.

And while he is no stranger to tips from working in the restaurant trade, he will not be turning to any of his previous football bosses for advice.

"Gary's still here which is important but I'm all geared to setting out what I want," said the determined 38-year-old.

"I had five managers in three years at Sunderland so I've worked with a lot of people and picked things up.

"But I'm very much my own man and if I'm fortunate enough to get the job then I'll have done it on my own merits."

Having tasted relegation at Grimsby during his first season in the game in 1988, Cunnington knows all about life at the wrong end of the table.

After four years at Grimsby, where he also celebrated back to back promotions, he joined Sunderland for £650,000 and stayed there for three years before a two-year spell at West Bromwich Albion..

He signed for Harriers in 1998 and made a handful of appearances.

Cunnington took time out of the game to establish his restaurant but has been cutting his teeth as a coach with Kidderminster's youth team.

And after being given an opportunity to pursue a career-long dream of management with the senior side he is desperate to grasp it with both hands and revive Kidderminster's fortunes.

"Nobody likes getting relegated. There's no better feeling than winning football matches and we've got to start doing that quickly," he said.

"The players have got to believe in their own ability and go out there, want the ball and want to win for themselves and for the club.

"There's enough quality, even with our horrendous injuries, to get out of this situation."

Cunnington will be unable to call on Micky Mellon and Iyseden Christie for "at least six weeks" with the experienced duo were booked in for surgery next week, while Reuben Hazell is still over a month away from returning to action.

Ian Foster and Freddie Advice-Desruisseaux are expected to be fit to face Boston at Aggborough on Saturday after missing training with flu.