HARRIERS manager Steve Burr admits the club's dire financial situation means he's going to have a difficult time in the January transfer window.

Burr is keen to build on an exceptional first half of the season which has seen Harriers right in the mix for the Blue Square Bet Premier promotion play-offs.

However, he is well aware that as injuries affect his small playing staff, Burr needs to bring in one or two experienced players to guide his predominantly youthful group of players.

With Harriers needing to find £120,000 to avoid a compulsory voluntary arrangement (CVA), Burr and assistant Gary Whild have been told they have no spare funds to bring in players and must some ship out before they can sign new faces.

Centre back Ollie Thorne has already joined Rushden and Diamonds on loan until February 12, with Burr hopeful he can use the freed up cash to add an attacking midfielder.

"We've missed out on a number of players, which is frustrating," commented the manager "We've got a good young squad which has done well but we haven't done anything yet.

"I would like to add one or two experienced lads who would help the rest of the squad improve.

"Unfortunately the way things are at the minute we are not able to do that."

Harriers are also wary that with the club in desperate need of funds, other teams may well try and take advantage by making bids for key players.

Burr confirmed Conference big-spenders Crawley Town had made an approach for nine-goal top scorer Chris McPhee in December.

While the club had accepted the bid, McPhee, who lives near Exeter, turned down the move.

"Crawley did make an approach for Chris which the club accepted," commented Burr.

"But Chris turned down the move flat, he did not want to go.

"He likes it here, enjoys playing with the squad and I think he enjoys playing under me as well.

"I don't want to lose any of the squad, it's quite the opposite in fact.

"We'll carry on squeezing out the best from the players we've got but as you can see we've already been affected by injuries."

Chairman Mark Serrell is also eager to keep Harriers on the chase for the play-offs but admitted with Harriers in need of serious investment, funds to add players will be limited.

However, he stressed the club would only sell a player if the price was right and Burr would have a say in the matter.

He said: "Steve is fully aware of things of our financial situation and he's also fully appreciative that to move things about he's got to move somebody out to bring someone in.

"With regards to transfer kitty's it's fair to say funds are limited.

"It's realistic to say that Steve is doing a great job and we don't want to weaken our good position. At the same time we've got to take in account the financial considerations.

"If a bid was too good to be turned down if wouldn't be.

"But that's not the end of it, if a player didn't want to go there's nothing we can do about it. Let's just see if that situation arises.

"I'm sure that Steve has a valuation on each of his players and if someone comes along it's up to him to make that decision. We as a club will make the decision but take into account the manager's feelings on it as well.

"Steve's got to be allowed to manage his players. We're in a great position and credit has got to go to the manager, his staff and the players."

Meanwhile, Harriers go into tomorrow's game at struggling Gateshead with Tom Sharpe and Jamille Matt set be available after recovering from the flu and a hamstring injury respectively.

Lee Morris might also have recovered from the hamstring injury which saw him miss the Forest Green and Tamworth games.

Mark Albrighton starts his two-match ban after his sending off at the Lamb Ground.

Gateshead have signed Sunderland defender Michael Liddle on a month's loan.

Burr is wary of the North East outfit, who have not won in eight games and suffered a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Southport.

"I think my worry is that we're playing a side who will have something to prove," commented the manager.

"I've been there myself and they will be determined to show they are a good side.

"But we're on a decent run and we'll be going there looking to build on some good performances."

Shuttle Online will have live match updates from Saturday's Conference tussle (3pm kick-off).