PAUL Sturgess is confident Hereford United can shake off their FA Cup blues in time for Monday's Nationwide Conference derby with Kidderminster Harriers at Edgar Street (1.00).

The former Charlton and Millwall defender, one of the stars of their extra-time defeat at Leicester City on Wednesday, says a crunch local derby is a good game to come back into.

"We have to pick our heads up," he said.

"We have two very important games coming up against Kidderminster in the league.

"Hopefully our performance against Leicester will be a basis to go on with."

Director of Football Graham Turner will also hope his players will have got their disappointment out of their system in time for two crucial matches, as they bid to get their title bid back on track following defeat at Scarborough last week.

He said: "It is now going to be down to getting players ready for Monday.

"There is some glory in defeat but the players were devastated, and we have to put that behind us now."

How much a punishing period of extra time will have taken out of them remains to be seen.

But the Bulls boss could make some changes to the starting line-up to help keep his players fresh, which could mean starting opportunities for the likes of striker Leroy May and midfielder Ian Rodgerson.

In-form Harriers will be out to repeat their festive double over the Bulls last season.

Turner said: "Jan Molby has got his team playing well at the moment so these will be two big matches for us."

Hereford (from): Jones, Lane, Sturgess, Snape, Wright, James, Parry, Taylor, Elmes, Williams, Fewings, Rodgerson, May, Wall, Clarke, Shirley, Rudall.

Hereford have re-arranged their Conference match at King-stonian for Wednesday, March 22.