Bulls revenge couldn't come at a better time
Hereford United travel to Eton Park for the first of two fixtures in four days for the league clash against Burton Albion tomorrow afternoon. Hereford will be aiming to claim an important three points in their season as they look to try and regain some lost ground on the front two following a disapointing festive period.
Nigel Clough has a huge injury list and has many players on the verge of fitness for the game. His side is stretched down to the bare bones for the visit of the promotion chasing Bulls. Defenders Michael Simpkins and Lee Ayres are out, as are utility man Glenn Kirkwood, midfield pair Andy Ducros and Sam Shilton and striker Robbie Talbot Ayres is out with a groin injury and a neck injury keeps Shilton out.
Hereford may be without midfielder Rob Purdie who pulled up with a hamstring injury after no more than ten minutes of the New Years Day game against Exeter. He could be on the sidelines if he has pulled it or should he have torn the muscle he may be out for longer.
Danny Williams had a x-ray on his foot that he injured against Forest Green Rovers but has started to train again. Lee Mills is also said to be training every day after his injury. However Andy Tretton could be side-lined as he has picked up a back injury. No new signings have yet been announced but there are talks going on with an unknown player.
"I think the squad needs strengthing. I think fresh blood in the dressing room does a power of good. There are a couple of positions I am anxious to strengthen," Graham Turner told BBC H&W.
"But we have to make sure we don't bring bodies in just for the sake of it."
Burton held United to a 0-0 draw earlier in the season at Edgar Street. Albion have proved to be a bit of a bogey team for the Bulls, who have failed to beat them in the past three meatings. When the two sides met at Eton Park last season Burton shocked their opponents by hammering them 4-1. Paul Parry was on the scoresheet for the Bulls.
The top half of the table has become really tight over the Christmas and New Year, meaning that a defeat could see Hereford drop from third down to eighth if results go against them. However, United will be hoping to return to form and try to open up a gap from the rest of the pack chasing the play off positions and try to claim some ground on Carlisle. Burton are currently seventeenth in the standings.