Hereford United hope to have star striker Gavin Williams back in action for tomorrow's FA Umbro Trophy semi-final first leg clash at Forest Green Rovers (3pm).

He has been sidelined recently with a calf injury but the Bulls are optimistic about him being available to face their Nationwide Conference rivals.

Hereford, however, have an injury doubt over youngster Jimmy Quiggin (hamstring) although goalkeeper Scott Cooksey (wrist) and midfielder Phil Robinson (groin) are expected to be fit.

Veteran striker Steve Bull is likely to be on the substitutes' bench.

Bulls boss Graham Turner is expecting a tough tussle, saying: "We know Forest Green have experience at the top level in their squad and their record indicates that they're capable of very good performances on big occasions. We are aware they've struggled all season in the league, but league positions don't count tomorrow."

Hereford, however, have one omen on their side. They played Forest Green at home in the league in November and won 3-1 when Williams, Robin Elmes and an Ian Hedges own goal made up the Bulls' tally. Frankie Bennett replied for the visitors.

Reaching the final would mean a romantic return to Villa Park both for Rovers' joint managers Nigel Spink and David Norton, plus winger Tony Daley, who are all former Aston Villa players.

Hereford chief Turner is also an ex-Villa manager.

These days Spink is employed coaching goalkeepers at Northampton Town and Birmingham City as well as striving to keep Forest Green in the Conference.

He said of tomorrow's showdown: "The odds were always on us drawing another Conference club in the semi-final and although Hereford will be favourites to beat us, I'm pleased we stayed away from Chester.

"Hereford have had a decent season in the league and are strong all round. I particularly like their striker Rob Elmes, whose good in the air and causes teams problems. Graham's a very shrewd manager, but we knocked out Conference leaders Rushden & Diamonds in the fifth round and have drawn with them twice in the league this season, so lifting our guys for the big occasions is clearly not a problem."

Spink, who is expecting a crowd of between three and a half to four thousand, discounts the Bulls recent form as a factor on tomorrow's outcome.

He said: "They haven't become bad players overnight, they're just having one of those runs when things which went for them before aren't going their way. The semi-final consists of two one-off games, there's obviously a big Villa connection involved and there's a lot of rivalry between the clubs. It'll be interesting to see who comes out on top but I don't think recent league form will be a big influence."

The other semi-final is between Canvey Island and Chester City

Hereford (from): Cooksey, Clarke, Sturgess, Robinson, Wright, James, Crowe, Roderson, Williams, Elmes, Parry, Baker, Shirley, Giddings, Snape, Bull.