HARRIERS chairman Barry Norgrove is concerned about the board's failure to convene quickly to appoint a new manager for the second season running.

The Aggborough supremo fears the delay could weaken Harriers' hand in the January transfer window.

But Norgrove hopes it will give them further opportunity to assess Martin O'Connor's credentials, even though the caretaker boss has effectively ruled himself out of the running.

"I'm looking to arrange a board meeting for January 5 and we can't do much about it before then," said Norgrove, who was a member of the board that took six weeks to replace Jan Molby because of holidays last December.

"I spoke to Neil (Savery) on Monday and it was the first time he'd been able to get out of bed for a while because he's been really ill.

"Wayne (Allen) is away until the New Year and John (Baldwin) is going away to so we can't get everybody together.

"It is a concern. We've got to make a decision soon because the transfer window opens in January.

"I know there were a lot of managers looking at our players the other night.

"But I can't make the decision whether we get rid of players or bring others in. I'm no judge of that and we need a manager to do that.

"It gives us a bit of time to see Martin because after Saturday's win you never know.

"All he's said is `chairman, leave it to me and I'll look after it until you're ready', but we'll just have to wait and see."