BOSS Graham Turner is stepping up his bid to boost Hereford United's playing ranks in time for the new Nationwide Conference campaign.

But he's prepared to bide his time to make sure he gets full value for money.

He said: "We have only just had the full PFA list of players who are available on a free transfer either because their clubs have not renewed their contracts or under the Bosman ruling. We are now sifting through that list seeing who might be of interest to us and who we could reasonably talk to and make an offer with a realistic chance of getting them."

Turner hopes that his search will be successful within the next couple of weeks, although he admits Hereford can't compete on the same financial level as the like of big-spending Rushden & Diamonds.

He said: "I think it's certainly a thriving league as far as finance is concerned with

Rushden, Doncaster and Telford paying big fees.

"It's going to be a very, very difficult league this coming season. There's going to be some tough opposition, we've known that for some time.

"There's more activity in the Conference than in the Third Division as far as transfer fees are concerned. But we'll let it all settle down while clubs are taking the players now and paying substantial money for them.

"We'll sit on the sidelines and have a look what is available, we'll talk to them and hopefully persuade them to join us and strengthen our squad.

"Certainly the level of payment now in the Conference is something we are finding difficult to complete with," said the United chief.

Earlier this week Hereford signed 24-year-old utility defender Matthew Gardiner on a part-time contract from Halesowen Town.