Hereford United will be desperate to get their Nationwide Conference season back on track this Saturday when they visit bottom club Hayes, writes IAN MORGAN.

Only one win in the last eight matches has left the Bulls in 13th place, 10 points adrift of table-topping Dagenham & Redbridge.

Hayes, however, narrowly avoided relegation last term and the West Londoners are again tipped to struggle, having released experienced players during the closed-season.

Hereford boss Graham Turner, pleased with his side's improvement last Saturday, will be hoping the Bulls can pick up a second away victory at Church Road.

"It was a much improved display against Stevenage, we worked hard and played much better. The supporters who turned up appreciated it and got behind the players," said Turner

The loan signing of Birmingham City's Tony Capaldi, a month's extension to midfielder Paul Webb's deal, and the return on a non-contract basis of defender Matt Gardiner have strengthened United's squad.

Although 19-year-old Capaldi, a left-back, has not yet appeared in the Blues' first team, he has already been capped for Northern Ireland at under-18 level. Capaldi is expected to miss United's games with Leigh and Chester due to international commitments.

Turner will also be hoping to welcome back captain Ian Wright (groin) and Rob Elmes, who was suffering with a back injury.

Frontman Daniel Davidson is available, having served a three-match suspension, while Matt Clarke (hamstring) is fighting to be fit.

Experienced midfielder Ian Rodgerson resumed training this week after a four-week lay-off.

Turner said that the last couple of weeks had been difficult and he understood the frustration of supporters who watched the recent home defeat by Yeovil.

He said that he had seriously considered his position at the club but had now regained his enthusiasm.

"There was plenty of room for improvement after the Yeovil game, which was probably the worst performance by any team I have managed in more than 20 years. But we made the first step last Saturday," he said.

Hereford face reigning Ryman League Premier Division champions Farnborough Town at Edgar Street on Tuesday night.

The Hampshire club invested heavily during the summer and Hereford will need to keep a watchful eye on danger-man Rocky Baptiste.

Meanwhile, Conference clubs were meeting this week in the advent of the FA's decision to block the controversial five-team promotion play-offs plan.

The FA Council have rubber-stamped their League Sanctions Committee's earlier decision to outlaw the proposal.