MANAGER Steve Burr admits it will be tough to replicate the success enjoyed by Kidderminster Harriers last season.

The Aggborough outfit kick off their Skrill Premier campaign at home to Gateshead tomorrow (3pm), three months after being pipped to the title by Mansfield Town.

Expectations are high for the new term with Harriers among the bookies’ favourites to win promotion, either automatically as champions or through the play-offs.

Burr has strengthened his squad by adding the likes of midfielders Lee Fowler and Jamie Tolley and saw some good performances in pre-season.

He knows Harriers have raised the bar but is not about to talk up his side’s chances of success in 2013-14.

The Kidderminster boss, nursing a rib injury sustained on holiday, said: “I feel the squad is stronger than last season but that doesn’t always translate into success on the pitch.

“The lads put an absolutely brilliant run together last season and it’s going to be hard to repeat that but, as always, we will go out and do our best.

“If we are to improve on last season, we would have to win the league but that’s always the aim at the start of the campaign.”

Harriers assistant manager Gary Whild added: “Our ultimate aim is promotion, either by winning the league or through the play-offs.

“The expectations are greater after what we achieved last season against teams with much higher budgets, but we never go into a season setting our sights low.

“We always want to develop and improve.

“It’s going to be tough because the players did fantastically well but we’ve got high standards.”

Harriers only lost one game in pre-season and look to continue that momentum against Gateshead by getting their league points tally off the mark early following last season’s dismal start of five defeats in a row and then five consecutive draws.

They have no injury concerns, meaning Burr has a wealth of options at his disposal to take on the north-east outfit.

However, with Michael Gash and Anthony Malbon the preferred choice up front, striker Ryan Rowe has been made available for loan.

The former Stourbridge marksman has bagged 13 goals in 53 appearances since his switch from the Glassboys and Burr is keen for him to regain his confidence.

The Harriers boss said: “Like any striker Ryan needs to be feeling confident and if he can go somewhere and score some goals that will do him a world of good.”

Academy defender Tyrone Williams is on loan at Sutton Coldfield Town.

Gateshead bolstered their strike-force over the summer with the addition of former York hitman Richard Brodie.