HEREFORD United will be hoping for packed houses at Edgar Street with two crucial games to attract the fans during the coming week.

On Sunday, for a 2pm kick-off, Shrewsbury Town should bring a large following for the League 2 local derby when Hereford will be looking to gain revenge for the double they conceded to their Shropshire rivals last season.

And then, on Wednesday, Tranmere Rovers will visit Edgar Street for a battle royal when the sides will contest an FA Cup third-round replay for the right to host Cardiff City in the competition's next stage.

Bulls chief Graham Turner will be hoping to have a new face or two in his side for the Shrewsbury encounter.

But so far his efforts to strengthen the side have drawn a blank.

"We have had a substantial offer - in our terms - to another League 2 club for a player turned down," said Turner.

"And we had another offer accepted by a club but the player rejected the move.

"A number of clubs have agreed for us to take players on loan but the players in question are waiting to see what other offers come in."

One outgoing transfer has been completed with Lionel Ainsworth, who has been on loan at Watford since late November, signing a two-and-a-half year deal with the Championship promotion-chasers.

Hereford's squad could do with some bolstering ahead of the weekend as they will be without midfielder Toumani Diagouraga for the first time this season.

The on-loan Watford man is suspended for one match after accumulating five cautions but will return for the Tranmere match.

Hereford also have a couple of injury worries.

"Clint Easton is touch and go for Sunday," said Turner. "But if he does not make that then he should be available for the Tranmere match.

"Steve Guinan is a couple of weeks away from fitness but Richard Rose is fit again and Karl Broadhurst should be all right for the weekend."