Hereford United's latest signing Anwar Uddin is a peer of England stars Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole.

Boss Graham Turner will be hoping he can display similar skills in today's home clash against Tamworth with the 22-year-old in the frame to start alongside captain Tony James in defence.

Uddin was the target of a number of London clubs as a schoolboy but ended up at West Ham United where he spent seven years but failed to win a starting place.

He moved to Sheffield Wednesday in February 2002 having been on a two-week trial and after playing some reserve games was made captain.

But despite hopes he would establish a first team place Uddin failed to make the step up and he was released in May 2002 by Terry Yorath and then signed a two year deal with Bristol Rovers.

Uddin has a reputation for hard tackling but can play in midfield.

He has yet to established himself at Bristol where he has been troubled by groin problems.

Meanwhile Bulls fans can pick up a perfect Christmas present at Edgar Street today - a signed copy of a new book chronicling the club's ups and downs over the last 30 years.

Stalwart Bulls' fans Denise Powell and David Edge have written the book which documents the club's fortunes since 1970 through to the present day.

The book is called Hereford United Football Club and is published as part of the Images of Sport series produced by Tempus Publishing.

Drawing much of its material from the Hereford Times it charts the highs and lows of the Edgar Street club including all its great FA Cup games of the time and their relegation to the Conference.

The authors will be at United's club shop from 10.30am today when the book goes on sale.

Proceeds from the book are to go to help the club.