KIDDERMINSTER'S new "Jake of all trades" looks set to be utilised in his preferred position of central midfield against Gravesend on Satu-rday with Russ Penn suspended.

Jake Sedgemore made his debut at right back in the 0-0 draw at high-flying Halifax last weekend after signing on an 18-month deal from Bury.

He was employed in the full back berth after defender Junior Osborne, a deadline day loan signing from Watford, sustained a slight injury in training.

But with Penn picking up his fifth booking of the season at The Shay, Sedgemore is likely to be handed his favoured role in the midfield engine room against Gravesend.

"I've had no definite indication of that and as long as I've got a shirt I'll be happy," said the 27-year-old utility man.

"The gaffer has stated that he's brought me here primarily to play midfield which I think is my best position.

"Hopefully I showed the other day that when called upon I'll step in and do a job wherever I'm asked to play."

Sedgemore put in a steady enough display during his first appearance in a Harriers shirt, but he promises there is much more to come from him.

He quickly got the measure of Halifax dangerman Justin Bowler and after a bright start the left winger faded rapidly and was substituted.

"He was an unknown quantity to be honest because they'd changed their team a little bit and obviously he was a bit quick," he said.

"It's always hard when you're getting to know your players. You learn your team-mates' strengths and where they're likely to make their runs.

"When I've bedded myself in after a few weeks I'll be more familiar with everybody's play.

"I know I can do better because there were a few times in the second half when we were under pressure and some of my clearances could have been better.

"But all in all to play in defence and come away from Halifax with a clean sheet was a decent start for me from a personal point of view."

A debut against the Shaymen was all in a day's work for the Black Country defender who faced a host of Manchester United superstars during Burton Albion's magical FA Cup adventure last month.

But while Sedgemore is still buzzing about the dream double header against the Red Devils and the once-in-a-lifetime experience of running out at Old Trafford he is now ready to concentrate on the Conference.

"To have actually got a draw against them and earned the right to play at Old Trafford was a special feeling," he admitted.

"It was a fantastic moment and one I'll never forget but we're back to reality now."

Sedgemore, who has also played in the non-league football's premier division Conference for Hednesford, Hereford, Burton, Northwich Victoria and Shrewsbury, rates himself as a Conference connoiseur.

"Because of my background I've always kept a close eye on the Conference and even when I went into the League with Shrewsbury I still kept an eye on the Conference results," he said.

"My specialist subject on the football coupons is the Conference and I've always had a good idea of who had what to offer.

"It's like coming home for me and I'm really looking forward to getting back to the places I've been earlier in my career.

Sedgemore has also used his short stint with Burton as a spying mission and has given Harriers boss Mark Yates the lowdown on several Conference teams, including Gravesend.

"I'm in a lucky position because we played Gravesend at Burton so I had a sneak preview so to speak," said Sedgemore.

"And I did the same at Halifax and gave the gaffer a few pieces of inside information.

"I know what Gravesend are going to be like. They're going to be big, strong and organised, which is what we've got to become to be honest.

"If we can match them in that department then hopefully the extra bit of quality that we've got can see us through on the day.

"We've had a decent few weeks and with good home support hopefully we can keep it going."

Sedgemore is excited to have arrived at Aggborough at a time when Harriers are finally looking upwards.

"When I first spoke to the club a couple of weeks ago there wasn't any sort of panic," he added.

"But in the back of their minds was always the fact that the bottom two weren't too far away.

"Obviously it would be disastrous for a club like this to be dragged anywhere near that, especially having come down from the League last year.

"But thankfully three wins and a draw have pushed us fairly solidly into mid-table and now it's a good feeling to come to the club at a time when we're looking up the table and all the talk of the bottom has been banished.

"There's a few teams in and around usincluding Burton and Gravesend and there's no reason why we can't finish at the top of that mini-league."