HARRIERS boss Stuart Watkiss has confirmed midweek press reports surrounding his selection at Cambridge tomorrow by declaring Chris Beardsley will definitely start the game.

BEARDSLEY: Deserves chance to start tomorrow.

Beardsley, who joined the club from Doncaster Rovers following Watkiss' appointment, has largely been restricted to substitute appearances thus far during his time at Aggborough.

That will change at the Abbey Stadium tomorrow, as the boss confirmed the youngster's enthusiasm and willingness to work has earned him his chance.

"Chris is playing tomorrow," he said. "I've no problem admitting that, he'll definitely be starting.

"He's shown great energy as well as a physical side to his game and he deserves this chance. He's been a great threat to us as a substitute recently and he's a difficult prospect to play against. We look more dangerous with him on the field and the ball is in his court."

Iyseden Christie has been given the green light to return to training on Monday morning, and the former Mansfield hit man is ready and raring to go according to Watkiss.

"He's very frustrated. I saw him a couple of days ago and he looks in good nick. He's trimmed down in size considerably which is great and he's been working hard in the gym.

"As soon as he's fit and ready for full-match football, we'll look to introduce him, but we obviously need to be careful"

CHRISTIE: Set to resume training on Monday.

The boss also criticised reports in the press over the last few days which claimed he'd 'attacked' the signings of Reuben Hazell and Iyseden Christie by former manager Jan Molby. Watkiss has reacted angrily to the way his comments were portrayed, and took this time to re-address the situation.

"It didn't come across the way I'd wanted to. I expressed an opinion which was that I, as a manager would not sign a player who had a question mark over his fitness. I stand by that, but I was in no way criticising the previous manager, as I was not at the club at the time and I don't know the situation surrounding the signings.

"I didn't know if Jan was having trouble bringing in players nor did I know if they genuinely thought the injuries were minor ones that could be overcome. If they thought at the time things would work out then they obviously made that decision in good faith - I've no authority to question that"

Harriers head to the Abbey Stadium tomorrow for arguably the biggest game of the season, and the sense of importance surrounding the clash is not lost on the players, who are 'fired-up' for it, as Watkiss explained.

"They are definitely ready and fired up for it," he admitted.

MOLBY: Made decision in good faith.

"They've got to be. If they aren't, they will be steamrollered. Cambridge are looking at it as a great chance to gain some points and we know they'll be gunning for us.

"We have to be strong physically and mentally and just try and play some football. Nothing will be decided as regards our fate on Saturday but we'll certainly be trying to bring some points home come five o'clock tomorrow.

The full interview in which Stuart Watkiss gives the latest on the squad's injuries, and the immediate futures of Steve Burton and Abdou Sall, will be available on Harriers World shortly, Sign up, or sign in today!

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