PAUL Sturgess will make his long-awaited first appearance of the season for Hereford United in tomorrow's home Nationwide Conference clash with Forest Green Rovers (3pm).

The former Charlton, Millwall and Brighton defender has yet to appear for the first team this season due to a knee injury.

But a one-match suspension for Matt Clarke gives him the chance to return as the third-placed Bulls look to keep up the pressure on the top two.

Director of Football Graham Turner said: "Our last three reserve matches have been postponed so he has not had a lot of match practice, but he should be ready.

"He is an experienced full-back who knows what the game is about."

Sturgess' return is likely to be the only change from the side that won impressively 4-2 at Scarborough last weekend.

Winger Paul Parry has an ankle injury and joins strikers Craig Hanson and Andy Moran on the sidelines, while veteran Jimmy Quinn has a knee problem and is unlikely to be risked even though he has completed a suspension.

Turner is not underestimating Forest Green despite their lowly position, with players of the calibre of Tony Daley and Nigel Spink -- both of whom played under Turner when he was Aston Villa boss -- and former Bulls midfielder David Norton in their squad.

He added: "They have probably the most experienced squad in the entire Conference. They have a lot of players with a considerable amount of Football League experience."

But Turner knows if they are to make a sustained title challenge they must improve their home form.

The 4-2 success over Dover last time out was only their second win in eight attempts, and they remain 11 points behind leaders Yeovil Town.

He said: "It is time we put our home record right. We need to keep that gap close with the top two.

"Yeovil are still going extremely well at the top, but some time they are going to have a sticky patch and it is up to us to take advantage of it."

Hereford (from): Cooksey, Lane, Sturgess, Robinson, Wright, James, Rodgerson, Snape, Elmes, Williams, McIndoe, Giddings, Piearce, Baker, Gardiner, Wall.