FAMILY fortunes will be split tomorrow when Graham Turner's Hereford United clash with son Mark's Tamworth side at the Lamb Ground (3pm).

Injury has ruled Mark out of the Lambs' line-up but the impending Nationwide Conference opener has dominated talk at Sunday dinner according to Turner junior.

"Mum is in a state because Dad keeps asking her to get information out of me and I keep quizzing her on what Dad is up to," he said.

"I have played against dad's teams before and they are always very challenging games. The rivalry certainly makes Sunday dinners more interesting."

Turner senior made light of his son's presence, adding even if Mark had been fit he would just be 'another body in an opposition shirt'.

A mystery heel problem has wrecked Mark's hopes of facing the Bulls.

"It is a real kick in the stomach," he said. "I have been getting a lot of pain when I run and have had an x-ray. I should get the results soon.

"I have been doing a lot of work to give me a head start on the other players but it is all ruined now."

Meanwhile Darron Gee's newly-promoted Tamworth side will be looking to put a summer of upheaval behind them following the departures of backroom staff Steve Walsh and Dave Norton.

Mark Cooper's elevation to assistant manager has filled the void left by Walsh while Gee has been boosted by the arrival of new signings Joe Taylor (defender), Marc McGregor (forward) and former West Brom 'keeper Phillip Whitehead.

But Bulls' boss Turner has reason to be cheerful after a solid pre-season programme.

"It's gone very well both in terms of the matches and the quality of the training," he said.

"We took the lads for further fitness tests at Gloucester University and the results have been quite impressive and there's been a big improvement from the start of pre-season."

Injured striker David Brown continues to make good progress but the Tamworth match may have come too soon for him.

But Turner is hopeful midfielder Jordan King will shake off a bout of tonsillitis.

The Edgar Street boss said, apart from Brown, everybody is likely to be in contention for a starting place.

"Everybody is in the running," he said. "Rob Purdie has done well and all the lads are showing a good touch and mobility."

FORMCAST: Hereford to win 1-0.