SCOTT Voice's return to action in a mid-week reserve game has given Hereford United boss Graham Turner a boost ahead of their Nationwide Conference home clash with Stevenage Borough tomorrow (3pm).

The summer signing from Bilston Town has not started a game since the opening day of the season when the Bulls beat Barnet 2-1.

But Voice played an hour during a 0-0 draw against Nuneaton on Wednesday night, which also saw long-term injury John Shirley complete 90 minutes.

Both players will be available for the Stevenage match but doubts over match fitness seem likely to restrict their chances of playing.

Hereford have endured a disappointing week after slumping to their first home defeat at the hands of Yeovil Town on Tuesday night and Turner will be looking for an upturn in his side's fortunes.

"Stevenage are a good side but we need to pick up some points and the players have the challenge of putting in an improved performance following a poor one," he said.

Injuries have depleted Turner's options but the Director of Football felt his team were below par against the Glovers.

"I thought it was a poor performance which was strange because it had followed a good one against Morecambe.

"The side has been disrupted by injury and we missed Ian Wright who has been solid in defence.

"Some of the players who have been performing reasonably well just weren't there against Yeovil plus a couple of them like Rob Elmes and John Snape were carrying knocks.

"There are no real signs of the long term injured being fit although the one bright spark is Voice who played for an hour in the reserves."

Stevenage boss Paul Fair-clough is positive of his side's prospects despite a 2-1 midweek defeat at the hands of Confer-ence high-flyers Margate.

"I'm very upbeat. I was delighted with the performance and I think we are making big, substantial strides with the performances of some of the players," he said.

Hereford look set to be without Wright again with a groin injury.

Hereford (from): Baker, Clarke, M. Williams, Webb, Quiggin, Piearce, T. James, Sedgemore, Snape, Elmes, G. Williams, Goodwin, Evans, K. James, Marshall, Shirley, Voice.