HEREFORD boss Paul Caddis feels that he needs to manage the minutes his players are on the pitch in the coming weeks.

The Bulls face Stourbridge away  on Thursday and then head to Halesowen on Saturday.

"We're going to look at it really carefully and try and manage the minutes," said Caddis following their defeat against Birmingham City under-21s on Saturday.

“We believe that this was the only date that Stourbridge could get the pitch.

"We've got another game on Saturday against Halesowen and the following one against Newport (County).

"It's important that we manage the players. We can't go into the start of the season with lads who are struggling a little bit.

"It's a fine line about safety of the players and getting match fitness."

Striker Montel Gibson has yet to feature for Hereford and continues to recover from a knock. Midfielder Chay Tilt is also carrying a minor injury and defender Aaron Skinner is facing a race to be fit for the start of the campaign.

“There's no need to start strapping ankles up just to get through pre-season games,” added Caddis. 

"We'll try and get him (Gibson) back on the training pitch this week, if not next, to try and get him up to match sharpness.

"Chay is another one who possibly could have got through it, but better managing people. Again it’s a fine line of keeping the players safe and fit."

Hereford named full-back trialist Travis Johnson who was released by Crawley last season. Also fellow full-back George Burrows.

A right back Johnson, who is 23, started his career with Crewe.

"Travis is an experienced player, he's played 85 games in the Football League,” added Caddis.

"He's one we really like, he's not played for a long time and you could see that at times.

"George (Burrows) is someone we had in last year, he's done really well since he's come in.

"We just have to have a look at what we've got financially and how best to go and bring someone in.

"I think we've been pretty patient, we won't just bring players in to fill numbers.

"We were in a situation last year where we had to do that. I feel there where we are now compared to last season, we are in a better place."

Meanwhile, Jordan Lyden will be out for 16 weeks after being injured against Westfields in a pre-season friendly.

“He’s not just pulled his hamstring, he’s obliterated it to be honest,” added Caddis.”

Jack Tolley has also tweaked his hamstring and could be another couple of weeks, but is not a signed Hereford player.