HEREFORD United could be without leading striker Adam Stansfield for the rest of the Conference season.

Stansfield is ruled out for at least six weeks, presenting a massive blow to United's play-off hopes, after suffering a fractured cheekbone during Saturday's 1-1 draw at Canvey Island.

Further hampering their promotion cause, left-back Alex Jeannin is immediately suspended for four games after being sent off.

The Frenchman initially picked up a yellow card at Park Lane, his 10th of the season, then was shown red for arguing with the referee.

So director of football Graham Turner is forced into a re-shuffle tonight as the Bulls entertain Aldershot Town at Edgar Street (7.45).

The loss of top scorer Stansfield, who spent more than 10 weeks on the sidelines earlier this season following a double hernia operation, is the biggest hole to plug.

"It's not a nice situation for Adam," said Bulls coach John Trewick. "It is also not a nice situation for us. We've now lost our top goalscorer for a lengthy period of time.

"It's something we could do without and it's the second time this season that it's happened to Adam.

"Normally, with a fractured cheekbone, you are looking at a minimum six weeks before a return.

"Our last league game of the season is on April 29, so we are hoping he will be back just before then. We'll have to wait and see."

Rob Purdie came off the bench to replace Stansfield and the 23-year-old midfielder may get the starting nod in an advanced role, with recognised strikers Guy Ipoua and Danny Carey-Bertram short of fitness.

But Turner could shuffle his pack in other ways, partnering Stuart Fleetwood with Andy Williams and selecting on-loan Daryl Taylor on the right wing.

Trewick said: "We've got one or two options and they will be considered in the build-up.

"We must also accommodate the loss of Alex. He's been virtually ever-present all season and takes set-pieces. He is a regular and vital member of the side, so we will miss him.

"Alex got booked for actually winning the ball, as far as I'm concerned. He protested too strongly and there is no defence for that. The referee was within his rights to send him off."

Turner has drafted in two 19-year-olds on work experience.

Midfielder Robbie King joins from Colchester along with Norwich centre-back Matthew Halliday.