RUSS Penn says Harriers will make good use of loans this season - but insists his squad must be driven and competitive.
Penn has the vast majority of his squad nailed down thanks to summer arrivals like Lewis Montrose, Koby Arthur, Luke Maxwell and Amari Morgan-Smith.
There are still additions to come between now and whenever we start, though, with the boss admitting he wants a tight group that are ready to fly from the off.
Looking ahead to the beginning of the new term, he laid down a marker to his players, saying: "I want a tight-knit squad but I am also wary of the amount of games in a congested period.
"Of course, we're going to dip into the loan market, as we always have.
"But I want a squad every player is ready to play.
"I don't want any outcasts going on loan early on in the season, otherwise they're not doing their job.
"I want everyone pushing for a starting eleven spot."
Expanding on his point on loan players, Penn went on to say that it will again be something the club looks to use well this term.
The likes of Will Mannion and Rhys Williams were excellent examples of how the system can work well during 2019/20, and the gaffer wants more of the same.
He said: "Hopefully, this year, the top clubs will look after us so-called 'little clubs' a lot more.
"It's doing your research, knowing the right people, having a good network and picking a player that can not just be a squad player, but a starting player."