BEN Smith's return to fitness and form has been like a new signing, according to Hereford United boss Graham Turner.

The 23-year-old, out for three months with a dislocated shoulder, was able to put his injury misery behind him with a well-taken goal in the Bulls' 4-0 defeat of Barnet.

Turner believes the midfielder can help United find the net with greater frequency and thinks he can hit double figures for the season despite missing more than 20 games to date.

"Having both him and John Grant available is like having a couple of new signings," said Turner.

"I think Smith can contribute a lot of goals which was one of the reasons why I signed him for that aspect of his play.

"Although we've had Jamie Pitman and Paul Parry doing that job to some extent I'm sure Smith can do it as well.

"He's a good player with good ability and I believe he can get into double figures.

"Smith's had a hard time with injuries in

the last 18 months including at Southend and he was really unlucky the way he did his shoulder at Bromsgrove in pre season but hopefully that is behind him now," said the Edgar Street boss.

Turner is still looking to strengthen his squad with the departure of loan midfielder Mick Galloway.

Meanwhile Hereford are trying to arrange a fixture for Saturday, January 4. After being knocked out of the FA Cup themselves, United's scheduled hosts on that date, Farnborough Town, are in FA Cup third round action at Darlington.

The Bulls were forced to sit out last weekend's action due to Margate's involvement in the FA Cup second round where they lost 3-0 to Cardiff City.

Talks are on going with property company Carillion Richardson to extend the deadline for the Edgar Street club to repay its £1m date due for repayment in May 2003.

The club held an informal shareholders' meeting last week to discuss the issue.