Hereford United offer new contracts to Ryan Bowman and Sam Clucas (From Worcester News)

Hereford United offer new contracts to Ryan Bowman and Sam Clucas

9:00am Friday 8th February 2013 in Sport By Steve Carley, @stevecarleyWN

RYAN Bowman and Sam Clucas have been offered new deals by Hereford United as the club seek to keep hold of their top talent.

Thirteen-goal striker Bowman and midfielder Clucas have been integral to the Bulls in their Blue Square Bet Premier campaign and manager Martin Foyle wants them on board next term.

With the Edgar Street club having struggled financially this season and expected to make further cutbacks in the months ahead, the focus is likely to be on youth.

Bowman, 21, and 22-year-old Clucas fit that profile and are likely to be transfer targets for other clubs in the summer when their contracts are due to run out, particularly after the former attracted interest from Kidderminster Harriers and Wrexham last month.

“The club have got to protect themselves and the players deserve new contracts,” said Foyle.

“It’s important we try and keep as many of the younger players at this moment in time because that’s what we will be looking at next year. Let’s hope they commit in the near future.”

Bowman looks for his first goal of 2013 when Hereford travel to Braintree tomorrow (3pm) aiming to bring an end a run of three consecutive draws. Foyle added: “We have played some good football away and at home as well when the pitch was better. We have probably got to change our game a bit.

“Braintree are decent. They have scored quite a few goals this season but we have got to stop giving goals away because teams haven’t had to work hard for them.”

Right-back Andy Corbett has extended his loan from League Two Burton Albion for a second month but centre-half Michael Townsend remains sidelined with a calf problem.

Forward Marlon Jackson, who made his comeback from a hamstring injury in last Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Southport, scored four times as Hereford thrashed Ludlow Town 9-0 in a friendly.