THEY say diamonds are forever, but apparently not at Rushden.

As Kidderminster Harriers look to complete their first Blue Square Premier double of the season tomorrow (3pm), they face a Nene Park side in disarray.

Rushden and Diamonds placed eight big-name players on the transfer list following their shock FA Cup exit to Evesham United.

Club captain Andy Burgess and skipper Curtis Woodhouse, who plans to quit the game at the end of the season to concentrate on his boxing career, are open to offers along with strikers Lee Phillips, Leon Knight and Lee Tomlin.

But none of that will concern Harriers boss Mark Yates. The Aggborough side are after a return to the Football League, while they are 90 minutes away from a potential FA Cup date with one of the Barclays Premier League big guns.

Even with the credit crunch affecting life at Kidderminster, things are still looking pretty rosy. Harriers are only two goals outside the play-off places in the Premier and just four points off the summit.

“It would be nice to be 10 points clear at the top,” Yates smiled. “But we have worked hard to put ourselves in a decent position both in the league and in the cup.

“That has been what this season has been about — hard work. We have a real team spirit here at the moment.

“We may not have the largest of squads but we have got strength in depth and sometimes on the bench we have too many options.”

Yates will have a full squad to pick from tomorrow with the return of defender Luke Jones from suspension.

“The lads are raring to go,” Yates added. “We are focused on the league games as they are very important for us.”

Ex-Aston Villa striker Stefan Moore, who has started two games so far for Harriers, will stay for at least the next month after signing a new deal.