STEVE Piearce will be hoping fervently that his latest injury blow doesn't last as long as his last one.

The Hereford United striker was set to miss his side's Bank Holiday programme with a thigh problem, this after missing almost the whole of last season with a lower back injury.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Bulls last summer from Halesowen Town, admitted that last season was the most frustrating of his career.

The injury limited him to a handful of games at the start and finish of the season, and consequently he had to watch United's great FA Cup run from the sidelines.

He said: "It was the worst I can remember.

"I was at a new club and just wanted to do well, but being out for six months was just like hitting your head against a brick wall."

But he is now confident that the original problem is cured, saying: "It doesn't hamper me any more although I still get a few aches from it".

Once his latest setback is solved, he is determined to make up for lost time and show the form he displayed at Halesowen, which persuaded Director of Football Graham Turner to bring him him to Edgar Street last summer.

Piearce added: "I owe the gaffer some goals, and hopefully I can repay his faith in signing me."

Piearce is confident United can make a name for themselves in the Nationwide Conference this season.

He added: "We have a good little squad together, and all the lads are very positive about the new season. It is very important to get a good start and take it from there.

"We always raise our game when we play the top sides. It is the lower sides we need to improve against."

Piearce said there is only one true aim this year -- to put Hereford back into the Football League as well as himself, as he had a spell with Doncaster Rovers a few years back.

"It would be superb to get Hereford back into the League. It is where they belong, where they want to be and we are all determined to try and achieve that goal."