HEREFORD United have signed Cardiff City's out-of-favour teenage striker Stuart Fleetwood.

Fleetwood, a Welsh Under 21 international, joined the Bulls on a free transfer and may be thrown a Conference debut tonight as United face Cambridge United at Edgar Street (7.45).

The Gloucester-born 19-year-old was transfer-listed by the Championship side after failing to make a first-team break-through.

Pacy Fleetford was a regular scorer in the Bluebirds' reserve side and impressed Turner during a second-string fixture against Hereford earlier this season.

In a horrific twist, Fleetwood was involved in a car crash on the way back from that game, while team-mate and driver Nicky Fish was left in a coma.

"I've seen Stuart several times in the reserves," said Turner. "He was involved in an unfortunate accident after a reserve game against us.

"That since knocked his confidence a bit and from then he was not getting an opportunity at Cardiff.

"He wants to be playing first-team football and I believe he can be a real asset. He's very sharp, very quick and mobile. He's also scored a lot of goals in Cardiff's reserves.

"Obviously, Graham Evans has left for TNS, so we were looking for another striker."

Fleetwood will compete with Adam Stansfield, Guy Ipoua, Danny Carey-Bertram and Andy Williams for the striker places.

He is the second Bulls newcomer in the space of four days following the loan capture of Swindon Town's Nicky Nicolau until the end of the season.

Left-sided midfielder Nicolau made his bow on Saturday as United came back from two goals behind to secure a 2-2 draw at promotion rivals Grays Athletic.

Turner said: "Nicky did OK at Grays. It's never easy making your debut, but the longer the game went on, the more Nicky came into it.

"He's got a good left foot and delivers good crosses."

The Bulls are waiting on the fitness of summer signings Andy Ferrell (ankle) and Ipoua (calf) as they strive to avenge August's 2-1 league defeat at Cambridge.

The U's are likely to feature Jon Brady, who ended a disappointing six-month stay at United by moving on a free transfer last month.