MIDFIELD wizard Simon Russell is poised to sign a new deal at Kidderminster Harriers along with left-back Jonny Harkness.

Former Hull City winger Russell, 22, improved last season with four goals and a string of assists as Harriers finished 10th in the Conference and reached the FA Trophy final.

He has verbally agreed a contract extension at Aggborough which will maintain his record as the club's longest-serving player, having signed in 2004.

Northern Ireland-born Harkness, 21, continued to be a threat with his set-pieces and looked more comfortable defensively.

Harriers already have goalkeeper Scott Bevan, defenders Stuart Whitehead, Mark Creighton and Jeff Kenna, midfielders Gavin Hurren, Russ Penn, Michael Blackwood, Michael McGrath and Brian Smikle and strikers James Constable and Iyseden Christie on contracts next season.

Of Russell and ex-Walsall player Harkness, manager Mark Yates said: "There are a few things to be sorted out but I don't see any problems about the last two players signing.

"When those two sign up I will have kept everyone I wanted. I think we have the nucleus of a great squad at the club. It's up to me to find the right players, bring them in and improve the squad.

"I think we lacked a bit of depth last season and it affected us at the end of the season. I'm looking for young, hungry players who are going to push the players we have here."

But Yates will not be held to ransom over his transfer targets, despite Harriers' money-spinning Trophy adventure which ended in a 3-2 defeat to Stevenage Borough at the new Wembley.

He added: "I do have a bit more money to play with than last season but I won't be held to ransom by other clubs. The chairman and the board have given me a budget which I intend to stick to.

"Clubs think we have lots of money to bring players in because of the FA Trophy but in reality that's not the case."