HEREFORD United's hopes of signing Telford United player Jim Bentley have been dashed after the defender's decided to join Morecambe, writes NAT SYLVESTER.

The former Bucks Head star has signed a one-year deal with the Lancashire club and cited Morecambe's promotion credentials as his main reason for joining.

"They have made me a fantastic offer and they are very ambitious and going for promotion and I think they will be there or thereabouts," he said.

Meanwhile Bulls' Director of Football Graham Turner has spent a busy week meeting five players as bids to bolster his squad of six up to 17 or 18 most of whom he plans to make full-time.

Turner is also eagerly awaiting the Professional Footballers Association's list of players released by their clubs, which is published in the first week of June.

The collapse of ITV Digital's deal with the Football League is set to see 900 players flood the market and Turner is pinning his hopes of boosting the quality of players at the club.

He said: "There are a combination of things we are looking at and there has to be a cross-section in terms of age and experience.

"For instance, we are talking to players from Football League clubs to the league below us.

The Edgar Street club have finally agreed a £22,500 fee for Gavin Williams with FA Umbro Trophy winners Yeovil Town. The deal for the highly-rated utility player, who moved to Huish Park last week, includes a 25 per cent sell-on clause so that Hereford will benefit if he is sold again.

Hereford captain Ian Wright has undergone a successful double-hernia operation and will be fit for pre season.

The club has reported brisk season ticket sales since the announcement by Turner and director Joan Fennessy that they were staying at the club.