Bulls News

Injury Situation Gets Worse For Bulls

HEREFORD United's injury problems have got worse for tomorrow's game at Edgar Street in the Nationwide Conference game against Margate, kick off 3pm.

Boss Phil Robinson could miss striker Rob Elmes (back), skipper Ian Wright (flu), defender Matt Clarke (dead leg), midfielder Ian Rodgerson (thigh), Scott Goodwin and attacker Steve Piearce, whilst Danny Davidson (ankle) and Scott Voice, who is due to see a specialist over his troublesome groin, are out.

"It's a little bit of a crisis at the moment and with the small squad we are operating if you have that amount of injuries, you are struggling for a team," Robinson told the Evening News. "Looking down at my list I have just 12 fit players at the moment and if it stays like that then it is a bit of a worry."

Of fifth placed Margate, he commented: "I think Margate were a bit of a surprise package because they were not one of the fashionable teams but having played them I can understand why they are doing so well, They are very solid and have a lot of pace up front which is why they have a good record away from home."

"I think, apart from the sticky patch we had between the FA Cup ties, we were unlucky in a lot of games and we knew we were close to winning a lot of those matches," added Robinson. "We were never far away and I'm delighted with the current run and we are working hard to maintain that."

"In my two years at the club getting one of the strikers on a regular goalscoring run has always been a bit of a problem but at the moment Gavin Williams is doing that," he said. "And I've always said that if we started to score more goals on a regular basis the results would improve. A few weeks ago we were looking below us in the table but now we are keeping an eye on what is in front of us."

Striker Rob Elmes is one of those which will require a late fitness test but secretary Joan Fennessy told the BBC: "Rob picked up a slight knock but should be OK for Saturday's match."

Scott Goodwin is available in midfield should manager Phil Robinson wish to use him, and Fennessy continued: "Scott was not going to be available for the Margate match, but because of Tuesday's replay, he has now completed his suspension."

Margate haven't won an away league game since early October but could field ex-Woking midfielder Nick Roddis. Boss Chris Kinnear could be without Gareth Graham, who has an ankle problem whilst Lee Williams is likely to return after a bout of food poisoning.