PAUL Sturgess is hoping to emerge from his injury nightmare and re-establish himself in the Hereford United line-up.

The 25-year-old full-back had to wait until last Saturday to make his first Bulls first-team appearance of the season following a knee injury suffered in pre-season.

But now he's back, the former Charlton, Millwall and Brighton player is out to keep his place as the Bulls look to build on their impressive start to the season.

He said of his absence: "It has been very frustrating. It is the wrong time to be sitting up there in the stand - when they are doing well is when you want to be playing.

"The aim was to try and get fit and play as many reserve games as I can, but because of the weather I have played only two reserve games spread over a month and a half.

"But in all fairness the gaffer (Graham Turner) has worked us hard. I have been working at certain aspects and some physical work and it is paying off."

He believes United can be major players in the title race, even though they trail leaders Yeovil Town by eight points.

"Everybody is saying how Rushden have got off to a good start and all of a sudden they have blown a gasket and come unstuck several times.

"We have certainly drawn too many games at home, but we have now won three in a row in the league - two of them at home - and are scoring goals.

"As far as the title is concerned, we are taking every game as it comes, try and win as many as we can and hopefully we can close the gap.

He's also settled in well at Edgar Street, having joined the club at the start of last season.

He said: "It is a good club to play for and they have got ambitions. We want to be in the Football League but that is every team's ambition.

"We have a good squad down here and have some very good young players. Gavin Williams this season is playing very well, scoring goals and linking up well with Rob Elmes, but we also have a few older heads who play their part."

Sturgess is disappointed not to be involved in an FA Cup run this season, having figured prominently in the Bulls' run to the third round last year, when they went out in extra time to Premiership Leicester City in a third round replay at Filbert Street.

He added: "Last year they were possibly my best games for the club and I didn't even feature in the competition this year, which is a bit disappointing, but we still have a good chance in the Trophy and in the Shield.

"But ultimately the players want to win the league - we all want to be in the Football League."