MARK Yates is expecting his Kidderminster Harriers players to face a tough, physical battle in tomorrow's local derby at Tamworth.

The Lambs are struggling in 20th place in the Nationwide Conference and were hammered 5-0 at Woking in their last match.

But Yates insists his team will have to be right on top of their game if they are to come away with the points.

He experienced his first league defeat as Harriers boss last weekend when he saw his side slump to a disappointing 2-0 home reverse against Gravesend & Northfleet.

And Yates has refused to rule out shaking up his starting line-up for the Tamworth clash.

He said: "I haven't decided my starting 11 for Tamworth yet, but whoever I pick will have to put right what happened last Saturday. It will be a good test of my players' character.

"If I decide some changes might be needed, I won't be afraid to make them but I haven't finalised the team yet.

"I have been reasonably happy with the way we have been playing lately, but we have to go there with the right attitude and make sure we perform."

Tamworth number several ex-Harriers among their ranks, such as Adie Smith, Scott Stamps and Graham Ward, and Yates feels playing against their former club will serve as an extra motivation for them to do well.

He added: "As a player, you always want to do well when you play against your former club and, if they play, Adie, Scott and Graham will be no different.

"They all did well while they were Kidderminster players and they will be desperate to play well against us."

Although Harriers have had something of an upturn in fortunes since Yates climbed into the hot seat, he will certainly not be taking the Lambs for granted because of their lowly league position.

He said: "We have no divine right to win, we've got to earn that, but I am sure we can get the right result providing everyone looks after their individual performances.

"It will be a battle, but we need to worry about ourselves -- not their players -- and make sure we have the right attitude on the day.

"The fact they lost 5-0 at Woking last weekend has absolutely no bearing on our game. They had a lot of injuries and suspensions and had to play a lot of youngsters.

"I have spoken to (Tamworth manager) Mark Cooper this week and I know they'll be ready to face us."

Tamworth beat Harriers 1-0 at Aggborough on October 31, but a win tomorrow could lift Harriers two places up to 12th in the table.

Yates has a fully-fit squad to select from with Russ Penn having completed a suspension as well as Paul Smith and Junior Osborne returning to this week's training sessions.

n Harriers entertain basement boys Crawley on Tuesday, but the visit of Grays Athletic scheduled for next Saturday has been postponed due to the Essex side's involvement in the FA Trophy.