GRAHAM Turner believes he has assembled one of the strongest Hereford United squads in recent years.

The Bulls' supremo senses a confident air of expectation that the Edgar Street club can finally end nine years of hurt and regain their Football League status.

United begin another long haul for promotion from the Nationwide Conference tomorrow when they host Scarborough.

After nine summer signings, including the year-long loan capture of West Ham defender Darren Blewitt, Turner has faith that favourites Hereford will finish one better than their previous two years.

"The ambition is to get promoted," said Turner. "That is the be all and end all. Getting the club out of the Conference is the target.

"Our aim is to go one better than the last two seasons and I feel we are capable of that. But we will have to play consistently well throughout the season, because there are a lot of other strong sides trying for promotion.

"I feel that we have got a stronger squad this year, both in terms of numbers and quality. In terms of individual players, I feel as though the squad is as strong as we've had for some time.

"The new players have shown a lot of promise so far. They have all got good attributes. The element now is to knit the side together. That is the big test for us and we will see that over the next five or six games.

"But there is a definite air of expectation about the place. There is real anticipation among the supporters and everybody at the club.

"Of course, there will be a lot of teams up there challenging for promotion. It will probably be very similar to last year. There may be a surprise side along the way, maybe Burton Albion or Grays.

"There are teams that are making a lot of progress such as Stevenage Borough, Morecambe and Woking. It will be a very close season, I'm sure."

United will be without wing-back Simon Travis (ribs) and midfielder Jamie Pitman (shoulder) for the opening few weeks of the campaign.

New signing Stacy Coldicott is a doubt against Scarborough with an inflammation to his lower back joint, while Welsh striker Graham Evans is allowed to play after gaining international clearance.

The Seadogs were among several sides battening down the hatches at Edgar Street last season and Turner admits his side must adapt better to defensive tactics.