Hereford United boss Graham Turner could be forgiven for believing he is the victim of some ancient curse after his side's rotten luck with injuries continued this week, writes NAT SYLVESTER.

His side's already bleak injury situation took a steep nosedive in a reserve match against Worcester City when players in line for a recall to the first team ended up back in the treatment room.

Ian Rodgerson, who has missed a chunk of the season already, aggravated a thigh injury after just half-an-hour while Scott Goodwin sustained a groin strain and Daniel Davidson, back after a three match ban, damaged an ankle.

Matt Baker (thigh), Ian Wright (groin), Matt Clarke (hamstring), Rob Elmes (back) and Gavin Williams are all struggling and when you toss in long term absentees John Shirley, Phil Robinson and Scott Cooksey, it adds up to quite a headache for Turner.

But the Director of Football remains optimistic despite Hereford's depressing run of results and injuries which has seen them win just once in eight games.

"It's been a tougher time off the pitch than on it," he said.

Two players who are fit are Matt Gardiner and loan signing Tony Capaldi from Birmingham City.

Defender Gardiner is at his third club in the space of a month following spells at Worcester City and Evesham United, but has been welcomed back to Edgar Street in the light of the Bulls' injury crisis. He played in the 1-1 draw at home to Stevenage Borough last week.

"We knew what he could do and needed some defensive cover and he's done well," said Turner.

Capaldi is a left-back who has not played for Blues' first team, but he has international pedigree and already been capped for Northern Ireland's U18s. He could miss the games with Leigh RMI and Chester due to international commitments, but should play in Tuesday's home clash with Farnborough.