Crewe boss Dario Gradi doesn't expect the Bulls to be challenging in League Two this season.
He told The Sentinel: "I'm not expecting Hereford to be frontrunners. I'd be surprised if they are up there at the end of the season."
The veteran Crewe boss says he is refreshed after having a near two year break from front line management: "Age isn't really a factor. It's a question of how you feel. There are quite a lot of managers in their 60s in football.
"I feel better for the break. It's a long slog and not many managers go the length of time I did without that rest. But I can still do the job. I've got the energy and my brain is still working all right."
He will field loan keeper Rhys Taylor in goal with Steve Phillips still recovering from a shoulder injury, and has just one player as a doubt for the game. Clayton Donaldson is still struggling with a knee injury and former trainee Byron Moore stands by to take his place.
Off the field, the Railwaymen are struggling to hit their 3,000 target for season ticket sales. With the deadline set at kick-off tomorrow, they have sold less tickets than last season despite the offer to refund 10% of the cost if they hit the target.