KIDDERMINSTER Harriers' injury victims have been handed an extra week to recover from their ailments with no fixture this weekend.

Boss Mark Yates has suffered several selection headaches in recent weeks as a variety of injuries have taken their toll on his already small squad.

But Harriers' game with Grays Athletic, originally scheduled for today, was postponed due to the Essex side's involvement in the FA Trophy.

Yates admits he has been "down to the bare bones" and the back four who took on Crawley Town in the 1-0 win at Aggborough on Tuesday had an average age of less than 20.

He said: "Daryl Burgess' back is improving and he has been to the chiropractor and got a bit of manipulation into it. He is back with our physio now and is coming along.

"Michael Blackwood has a bit of a knee injury from a bad tackle, Russ Penn has been suffering from the 'flu and Wayne Graves has a stomach/groin problem. But, with the extra week off, we should have a few of them back for the Forest Green game.

"The side who played against Crawley put in a great performance. Gavin Hurren had been on loan at Bromsgrove and was excellent against Crawley. Everything he did, he excelled at."

Yates is also hoping to have a better playing surface at Aggborough for next season to help his players express the brand of passing football he advocates.

Work is set to begin at the end of the current season.

Meanwhile, Ben Schiffmann, one of Worcester City's physiotherapists, will be helping out at Aggborough until the end of the season to cover for Jim Conway who is suspended. The board are still following legal advice not to comment on the investigation into Conway.

Schiffmann will help treat players' injuries during the week, while Yates' former Cheltenham team-mate Chris Banks carries out match-day duties.