HEREFORD United director of football Graham Turner is in buoyant mood going into Saturday's League 2 opener against Rotherham United.

The Bulls chief was busy making late adjustments to his squad with the formalities concerning the loan signings of Watford pair Toumani Diagouraga and Theo Robinson and Bristol City goalkeeper Chris Weale due to be completed yesterday (Wednesday).

Diagouraga and Robinson have joined the club until the end of the year while Weale arrives at Edgar Street for a month.

Former Leeds United and Darlington forward Simon Johnson, who impressed in pre-season, has also joined the club on a two-month contract.

Johnson, who is 24 and can play either on the flank or in attack, scored the winning goal at Bath City and also appeared against Wolves and West Bromwich Albion.

Robinson will compete with Trevor Benjamin for a place alongside Steve Guinan in attack while Diagouraga and Kris Taylor will battle it out to join Ben Smith in central midfield.

Smith has been appointed club captain for the coming season but new arrival Karl Broadhurst, a former Bournemouth skipper, will lead the side on the pitch.

United boss Turner pronounced himself satisfied with the pre-season programme which had brought three wins and two defeats from five matches.

"Although we lost to Wolves and West Brom, the pre-season games have gone reasonably well and I have been generally pleased with what I have seen," he said.

And he is now looking forward to Saturday's clash with Rotherham and the following Tuesday's Carling Cup visit of old Southern League and Conference rivals Yeovil Town.

"Rotherham were a Championship side not too long ago but recently have had their difficulties financially which is one of the reasons why they find themselves in League 2 again," said Turner.

"We have had them watched and the report was quite complimentary. On the basis that three of the four relegated sides were promoted straight back up last season, Rotherham must be among the favourites for promotion.

"Yeovil, in the Carling Cup, are old rivals. We have had some cracking games against them and I think that is a game to whet the appetite.

"Although they will want to win, the pressure is off the players in much the same way as it was when we beat Coventry City 3-1 in the competition last season."

With the arrival of Weale, the pressure is also off Wayne Brown to be fit for Saturday although the Bulls' first-choice will be required against Yeovil as Bristol City do not want Weale cup-tied.

Brown may, anyway, be fit for Saturday after coming through Tuesday's training session without alarm.