United facing recruitment drive

9:39am Saturday 28th June 2008

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HEREFORD United return to pre-season training on Wednesday with only 12 players currently signed up for the 2008/ 09 campaign.

The Bulls begin a five-week warm-up programme of friendlies ahead of their first League One fixture at Leyton Orient on August 9.

During that time manager Graham Turner will be looking to add a significant number of players to his squad either through permanent sig-nings or use of the loan system that served him so well last season.

Turner only has two defenders confirmed but is waiting for Dean Beckwith to decide on a new deal. However, he is yet to hear from Australian Olympic hopeful Trent McClenahan.

The midfield is looking much more promising with eight players committed to the club and Toumani Diagouraga pondering an offer.

Steve Guinan and Simon Johnson are the only strikers on contract but United still have a bid in the pipeline for former Southend United loanee Gary Hooper.

Meanwhile, United’s League One match against Swindon Town at Edgar Street has been brought forward 24 hours to Friday, September 5, on police advice. The match will kick-off at 7.45pm.

Club director and secretary Joan Fennessy said: “This is the only date that the police have pressed for a change on.”

However, there is one change to away fixtures with the trip to face Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park now taking place on Sunday, October 12 at 2pm.