BOSS Mark Yates has told harriers.co.uk that he'll be looking for a 'competitive and tough' pre-season for his new squad later in the summer, after yesterday we revealed the line-up for the 2007/08 curtain-raisers.

On Tuesday we announced the seven-game schedule for the pre-season spanning July and early August, designed to put what will be the new-look Harriers squad through their paces.

There's a variety of opposition ready to take on Yates' troops, and the boss admitted to us that he's happy with how things are shaping up.

"We knew we wanted to make it competitive and I think we've done that," he said.

"Bewdley requested that we go over and open their new Main Stand and we're only to happy to go and help out.

"We're pleased with the line-up - Hinckley will provide great opposition for us in the week before the league season, and we're happy with the three home fixtures we've secured too.

"I'd like to think we can give them all a game and those will be competitive and tough, too."

League One side Cheltenham, who could still boast former Harriers' midfielder JJ Melligan amongst their ranks, will visit Aggborough in one of three home games.

Newly-promoted Walsall will make the trip to Worcestershire, too, but the one fixture that catches the eye is the home clash with newly-created FC United, who have started their journey up the non-league ranks in fairytale style.

"Cheltenham have done brilliantly to stay up in their division and I'm delighted for them," Yates continued.

"Walsall have just been a success story since Richard Money took over, and FC United have just won everything in sight in their first couple of years.

"The FC United one is a good coup for us really because I think out of all the three teams coming to Aggborough they will bring the most support.

"They're a well-run and well-supported football club and it will be nice to have them here."

The playing action may now be gone from Aggborough for a couple of months or so, but the work certainly hasn't stopped. With a gruelling pre-season schedule now close to completion, Yates is already able to look ahead.

"Believe it or not we're looking forward to it!

"We know where we're going with things and from July we'll be building things up - there's a lot of groundwork to do before we play the games but these matches will obviously be a big help."