FORMER Hereford United striker Marcus Palmer has joined Evesham United as manager Paul West looks to increase his side’s scoring prowess.

Although the Robins have netted three times in their last two games, they failed to find the target in their previous four Zamaretto League Premier Division matches.

In all, United, beaten 2-1 by a last-gasp strike at Farnborough on Saturday, have managed just 13 goals in as many league games this season and are in the bottom half of the table.

West’s men do not have a game this weekend as scheduled opponents Chippenham Town face Kingstonian in the FA Trophy.

But the manager has moved to strengthen his squad with the 21-year-old hitman, who left the League Two club in May 2008 and has since played for Forest Green Rovers in the Blue Square Premier.

He said: “It’s important not to put pressure on him but we need to improve 10-fold in that area. At the back we have the second meanest defence in the league but we need to score more goals.”

Skipper Steve Lutz (ankle) and fellow defender Steve Luckett (ankle) and Anthony Watson (thigh), midfielder Mark Hands (shin) and striker Jermaine Clarke (groin) are all struggling but could be fit for the trip to Bedford Town next Saturday.

West, whose side also visit Sutton Coldfield Town for a Red Insure Cup second round clash on Monday, said: “It’s a blessing in disguise that we don’t have a league game tomorrow with the amount of injuries we currently have.

“We will be in for training tomorrow to assess where we are in terms of the injuries we have suffered lately.

“Hopefully I can bring in one or two new players to keep the competition lively.

“I’m not really looking at the cup game, I’m really focussed on the game at Bedford.”