SKIPPER Luke Gra-ham is convinced Hereford United will rise up the Skrill Premier when they get a clean bill of health.

The Bulls, 16th in the table, have endured a torrid time with injuries this season and have been forced into the loan market to recruit cover.

Midfielders Kingsley James (knee) and Danny Pilkington (thigh) and striker Michael Rankine (hamstring) are all currently sidelined and set to miss today’s visit of Barnet at Edgar Street (3pm).

Defender Dominic Collins pulled up in the warm-up ahead of last Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Dartford and midfield duo Frankie Artus and Josh O’Keefe are also in the treatment room.

“When you have a small squad, injuries to players can really hurt you,” Graham explained. “We then become reliant on the loan market again and hope they pay off. I do believe with a settled team we will climb up the table.

“With teams like Nuneaton and Braintree around the play-offs, it shows what can be done on a small budget.

“One thing I would say though, is what they have had over the past year is a settled squad of players. Stability is the key word here.

“Looking at the team sheets from last season to this, both teams starting 11 were almost unchanged against us.”

The centre-half, also a player-coach at United, added: “The summer was uncertain for the football club and many players left for various reasons.

“It’s no wonder, with the turnaround of players, we have been so inconsistent.”