HEREFORD United may have to sell more of their star players to ease a financial crisis.

The Bulls' board of directors have issued a statement outlining the club's "critical" situation, following criticism by fans of the recent £12,500 sale of defender Chris Lane to Conference rivals Southport.

Director of Football Graham Turner admitted that more players could be sold to keep the club afloat, with star striker Gavin Williams the prime candidate although he said no offers had been received for the player.

He said: "The club has survived over the last three or four years by cup runs or the sale of players. That is the only way the club can survive, and in many ways the situation has not changed.

"The situation has been exaggerated by the alarming drop in attendances since Christmas, and a gate of just over 1,300 against Hayes highlighted that. We need 2,500 to break even.

"We are still in a Company Voluntary Arrangement which makes it doubly difficult. We are also in debt to the developers which is well known."

Meanwhile, United's reserves won 3-0 at Burton in the Central Conference last night.