The Bulls entertain Colchester United in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night.
It will be the first meeting between the sides in the League Cup, but they were paired in the FA Cup last term. A last minute John-Joe O'Toole goal gave the U's victory at Edgar Street in a rather drab affair in front of 2,225 on a Saturday afternoon. The previous season we met twice in League One, with the away sides winning on both occasions.
The Bulls debut home match of the season will see a number of players make their competitive debuts at Edgar Street. Probably the biggest decision Simon Davey will make is where to play Joe Colbeck. The winger looked uncomfortable playing in the midfield three, but was more relaxed when pushed forward in place of Sean Canham. Davey said any of the front three could have been sacrificed on Saturday to make that change, and the likelihood is that one of them will go to restore Kenny Lunt to midfield and push Colbeck further forward.
Colchester have the aim to return to the Championship at the earliest opportunity but veteran boss John Ward is seemingly yet to fully assemble a side to do that this season. He has had to bring in Reading striker David Mooney on loan as cover after seeing his forward options reduced due to injuries and the late departure of veteran Clive Platt to Coventry. Influential midfielder O'Toole remains sidelined due to a cruciate injury, as does first choice keeper Ben Williams.
Hereford United vs Colchester United, Edgar Street, Tuesday 11th August, 7.45pm.