MANAGER-of-the-month Graham Turner will be plotting to extend Hereford United's outstanding run this Saturday when they entertain FA Trophy holders and Nation-wide Conference leaders Yeovil Town in the third round of the competition.

The in-form Edgar Street outfit are unbeaten in their last six outings and will be aiming to further that record by overcoming the Glovers in the top tie of the round.

Turner picked up his manager's award for the Conference on Tuesday following United's December run that yielded three wins and a draw.

He said: "The FA Trophy is a very important competition to us because we want to keep our run going and keep the season as exciting as possible. It is definitely the tie of the round and it's vital that we get through to the next stage."

United shared a goalless draw with their Somerset rivals and Conference title favourites at Edgar Street in September.

The cup clash is given added spice in that both Gavin Williams and Michael McIndoe are returning to Edgar Street, while Hereford's Ben Smith and Jamie Pitman should line up against their former club.

Turner said: "We know a fair amount about Yeovil and we also know that they have had a tremendous following in their last two away games. We are told they took over 1,000 supporters to Forest Green and had 800 for the trip to Gravesend last Saturday."

Last season, United beat Chesham United and Hampton & Richmond Borough before bowing out of the Trophy in the fifth round at Chester City after conceding a stoppage-time goal in a 2-1 defeat.

United full-back Matt Clarke, a key figure in United's impressive run, will be sidelined for between three and four weeks after having an operation to clear up a troublesome knee injury.

Former Walsall trainee Richard Teesdale will take over the right-back position, while Scott Voice may be in the Hereford squad for Saturday's game.

However, the Bulls are currently in negotiations with Hinckley United who are keen to sign the striker on a permanent basis after he impressed in a two-month loan spell with the Dr Martens side.

Turner said: "If Voice were to join them, our squad would be down to 15 pros and we would need to bolster it by one or two players.

"The feeling in the squad is very good and we would want players with ability and the right type of character. We have a list of players that we would be interested in, but our finances have not changed very much."

In the event of a draw on Saturday, the replay will take place at Yeovil's Huish Park on Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.