KIDDERMINSTER Harriers boss Mark Yates is predicting his side's Boxing Day encounter with local rivals Stafford Rangers will be a real scrap.

Aside from the fixture being a keenly-contested derby traditionally, Harriers and Stafford are nestled next to each other in 14th and 15th place in the Conference respectively.

Both sides have mustered 27 points so far this term, although Stafford have played one match less than the Aggborough side.

However, one thing is for sure, both camps would have wanted to have accumulated considerably more points than they have by this stage of the season.

Therefore, all the elements are in place for a ding-dong battle at Marston Road on Tuesday and Yates expects his players to be up for the fight.

Harriers have not played Stafford since 1995 when striking legend Paul Davies was among the scorers in a 2-1 win on their travels.

Yates said: "I've seen Stafford a couple of times and I played with their manager Phil Robinson for a while at Birmingham. First and foremost it's going to be a battle, a real scrap and if we're not up for it they'll beat us.

"If any of my players don't fancy it they'd better tell me now because they've got to be committed to the cause.

"That's what Stafford are about and we've got to impose ourselves on them."

Stafford's last match, with Cambridge United last Tuesday, was called off. They have not scored in their last three games and are without a league win since November 4 when they beat Weymouth 2-0.

Yates expects to have a full compliment of players to select from with club captain Stuart Whitehead ready for a return to action.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Rob Davies has extended his loan stay for another month after recovering from an ankle knock.

Top-scorer Iyseden Christie is fit again after being taken off in the last game - a 4-4 FA Trophy home draw with Vauxhall Motors - as a precaution with a calf injury.

Meanwhile, Yates insisted Rochdale sacking boss Steve Parkin had not changed Harriers' desire to extend Christie's stay until the end of the season, despite fears 'Dale may recall their loan players.