VERSATILE Jake Sedgemore should get a chance to stamp his authority on Kidderminster Harriers' midfield tomorrow.
Mark Yates' signing -- the only Harrier contracted through to the end of next season -- is likely to replace Russ Penn who has been handed a one-match ban.
And utility man Sedgemore will be looking to keep his place in the engine room after starting off at right-back in last Saturday's fine 0-0 draw at Conference promotion-chasers Halifax Town.
Watford teenager Junior Osborne is set to get the nod in defence after recovering from a slight knock with Yates unlikely to make other significant changes after putting together a fine league run.
Kidderminster have won three and drawn one of their four Conference games since he took over but their Aggborough attributes under the former club skipper are relatively untested.
Harriers saw off struggling Scarborough 2-1 and lost 1-0 at home to high-flying Grays Athletic in the FA Trophy but Gravesend & Northfleet will be a different prospect.
And Sedgmore knows what to expect after facing the Kent side for Burton Albion in a loan spell prior to joining Kidderminster from Bury on a free transfer.
The 27-year-old said: "I'm in a lucky position because we played Gravesend at Burton so I had a sneak preview so to speak.
"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."
Thirteenth-placed Harriers are finally looking upwards in the table and can overtake Gravesend, managed by former Birmingham City defender Liam Daish, with a win tomorrow.
Eighth position is well within Yates' sights if Harriers continue to impress although a big test will be how they cope without the prolific Iyseden Christie, now at Rochdale.
Loan signings Francino Francis and Andy White are yet to get off the mark in attack, leaving Gareth Sheldon -- a likely substitute -- as current top scorer with just three.
But Sedgemore is looking on the bright side and he added: "Three wins and a draw have pushed us fairly solidly into mid-table.
"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 us, including Burton and Gravesend, and there's no reason why we can't finish at the top of that mini-league."
Gravesend are unbeaten in the last two games, drawing 1-1 at Cambridge United and beating Canvey Island 2-0 to recover from a 3-1 FA Trophy defeat at lower-ranked Boreham Wood.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article