Caddis should have more fit players for Boston but he'd love everyone back

Paul Downing, front, could play a part in this afternoon's match at Boston United

Experienced Hereford defender Paul Downing could be fit to play in today's match at Boston United. 

On Tuesday, it was put to boss Paul Caddis in the post-match interview that the former Walsall, MK Dons and Blackburn Rovers man thought he could play a part in the National League North clash.

He was without a club for 16 months after a difficult, injury-hit three years with Portsmouth. He made just 27 appearances during his time on the south coast and spent a loan spell at Rochdale.

But after signing for Hereford, he bolstered the defence and brought some much-needed agility to the backline. With captain Nathan Cameron out injured, he donned the captain's armband and impressed alongside Kyle Howkins.

In recent weeks he's been sidelined with a 'tight hamstring', with the likes of Jordan Lyden, Mark Derricott, Jason Cowley, Ollie Southern, Alex Babos and Andy Williams also on the injury list lately.

After the 1-0 home win against Brackley, Caddis said Downing was going to do some "max speed stuff" because with a hamstring injury you "have to try and come through those tests".

He said that if 32-year-old Downing, who is on contract until the end of the season, passes those tests "we'll make the decision if he's available or not".

"We'd love to get everyone back, we'd love to get Jordan Lyden back, we'd love to get Paul Downing back," he said.

"We've also got [Mark] Derricott, he's probably not far off now, probably three, four weeks away.

"We just want to get as many fit players as we possibly can because we know especially November's a tough month. We've got another six games left now so the more bodies we can get back the better."