KIDDERMINSTER Harriers’ first-choice central midfielders Keith Briggs and Jack Byrne are both doubtful for tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round home tie against York City.

Left-back Mike Williams might also be pressed into action despite a hip injury with rookie defender Aaron Griffiths having been sent off while filling in during last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Kettering, resulting in a one-match ban.

Briggs and Byrne picked up hamstring and groin injuries respectively in that match and home manager Steve Burr will be assessing their fitness before selecting his team for the Aggborough clash.

Should neither player pass their late tests then versatile five-goal top scorer Chris McPhee, who has also played at centre back in the past, could drop back into midfield with Tom Shaw also earning a recall.

Former player-coach John Finnigan, now 34, is another option that would allow McPhee to continue in a striking role but the former Lincoln and Cheltenham midfielder is yet to make an appearance this season due to a persistent calf problem.

On-loan striker Marc Williams is not expected to figure, however, with parent club Wrexham unlikely to give him permission to play in the Cup. Kiddy will be bidding for a fourth successive home win tomorrow and are unbeaten in their last six outings at Aggborough, taking 14 points from a possible 18 and beating the likes of leaders AFC Wimbledon (2-0) and Grimsby Town (3-2) during that run.

Their solid home form has also helped the Harriers move away from the lower reaches of the table and up into tenth position, four points off the play-off pace.

Only three sides – Hayes and Yeading (15), Tamworth (14) and Eastbourne (14) – have shipped more Blue Square Bet Premier goals at home, however, than the 13 Kiddy have conceded.

In five of the last ten years they have also fallen at the first hurdle in the Cup, including a fourth qualifying round defeat to Fleetwood last season.

The Harriers have reached the third round twice during the last decade, though, going out to Midlands neighbours Coventry and Wolves in 2008/09 and 2003/04 respectively.

Off the field, cash-strapped Kiddy’s board are currently in takeover talks, which could see new owners installed next month.

Kidderminster team (probable): Lewis; Vaughan, Briscoe, Albrighton, Mike Williams; Blair, Shaw, McPhee, Gittings; Morris, Wright.

Match facts

City have made only one previous cup visit to Aggborough and that was in the third round of the FA Trophy in 2008/9.

Adam Boyes scored his first goal for the club in a 1-1 draw and the line-up on January 31, 2009, including only two likely to be on duty tomorrow, was: Ingham, Purkiss, Parslow, Critchell, Robinson, Rusk, Mackin, McWilliams, McBreen, Boyes, Brodie.

City won the replay after a 13-12 marathon penalty shoot-out.

It happened on October 23

1926: A 7-1 victory in the Midland League over Wath Athletic at Fulfordgate with goals from Charlie Flood (3), Sam Ranby (2), James O’Cain and James Loughran.

1967: City gained their first win of the season at the 14th attempt when they beat Swansea Town 2-1 at Bootham Crescent but remained bottom of the Fourth Division. Rowland Horrey and an opponent were on the scoresheet.

1993: A 2-0 home reverse at the hands of Brentford watched by 3,513. It was the third successive defeat and City had dropped to tenth in the Second Division (League One).

1999: A Bootham Crescent crowd of 5,109 saw a 1-1 draw against Hull City with Kevin Hulme on target. It was the sixth game without defeat and City were 17th in the Third Division (League Two).

2001: City lost 4-1 at Kidderminster Harriers and were in the bottom half of the Third Division. Lee Nogan scored the consolation goal.

2004: A 4-0 defeat away to Conference leaders Barnet left City 17th in the table.

Compiled by Dave Batters