JOHN Trewick is confident Hereford United will rediscover their ruthless touch by putting Cambridge City to the FA Cup sword tonight.

The Bulls travel to Milton Road for the first meeting in 12 years between the two sides.

On that last occasion in the 1993/94 season, ironically at the same first round stage, United progressed through Chris Pike's late strike.

United survived a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Alfreton Town 11 days ago to book their trip to the Conference South outfit.

But they made it difficult for themselves after missing a host of clear-cut opportunities in both ties against the Derbyshire side.

Scoring goals has proved a major headache for the Bulls this season after losing forwards Guy Ipoua and Adam Stansfield to long injury spells.

That may change with Ipoua poised to make his first start since September 24, while Stansfield is 10 days away from returning after a double hernia operation.

Coach Trewick reckons the scoring dilemma will disappear for good once Hereford's number one strike partnership resume service and Graham Turner's right-hand man believes United will carry too much firepower for Cambridge.

He said: "If we produce the same kind of football we played against Alfreton, then we should be looking to get through the next round.

"In both ties against Alfreton, we were the better side by some distance. We just could not find the finishing.

"We know we've been missing lots of good chances and it's up to us to finish them off. We are trying to reverse the situation. It's hard to put a finger on why we are missing chances. It did not help when we lost Adam Stansfield, Graham Evans and Guy Ipoua all at the same time. It meant shuffling around personnel.

"I think, from a goalscoring point of view, once we get all our strikers fit we will improve in that area."

Trewick added: "We've had Cambridge watched and they like to play good football, from the back through midfield and into wide areas.

"But we are from a higher division and there's no reason why we shouldn't get through the tie."

Full-back Ryan Green (knee) returned to training this week but is doubtful to return, while Darren Blewitt (elbow and hamstring) is a likely non-starter.

Alex Jeannin is back from suspension. Craig Mawson resumes in goal, while Evesham United's 18-year-old goalkeeper Darren Knurek is drafted in as back-up.