NEW star striker Steve Piearce is confident he can score the goals to fire Hereford United back into the Football League.

The summer signing from Halesowen Town is expected to start United's opening Nationwide Conference game at new boys Sutton United tomorrow (3.00).

Piearce has missed most of United's build-up with a thigh injury but scored after coming on as substitute in their last friendly at Worcester City.

Director of Football Graham Turner has not finalised his line-up but said of Piearce: "He had no ill-effects from last week, and if I think he deserves a place in the side he will play."

Piearce said: "I have belief that I can score goals and the way we have played, we are certainly creating chances. I am confident I can get on the end and finish them off.

"We are all very optimistic. We have Sutton and Nuneaton in our first two games who have both just come up.

"If we can do well against those two, we are looking at our third match at home and coming away with all nine points, which sets us up for the season.

"Everything at Hereford is geared to getting us back into the Football League. We need a bit of luck on the way but if everybody stays fit, we have a good squad of players and I don't see any reason why we won't be up there."

Turner's plans have been hit by the news that young midfielder Paul Parry has gone down with glandular fever and will be out for several weeks.

But he has recruited former Charlton and Millwall defender Paul Sturgess on a month's trial after he impressed in the recent friendly with Coventry.

Turner said: "It enables him to have a look at us, and there is the prospect of a long-term contract after that."

Turner is also confident of an improved season for United. "We are probably better equipped with the squad and I am reasonably pleased with the players we have brought in.

"We approach the season with optimism but so will every other side in the Conference."

Turner has had Sutton watched and added: "They have not added too many players from last season - I think they are banking on the spirit of the players that got them promotion. We will take nothing for granted."

Hereford (from): Quy, Clarke, Wall, Snape, Wright, James, Williams, Taylor, May, Hanson, Piearce, Rodgerson, Lane, Fewings, Elmes, Sturgess.