JOHN Eustace has rocked Hereford United by returning to Stoke City on the eve of the club's match at local rivals Shrewsbury Town.

The midfielder, who had just extended his loan deal at Edgar Street by a third month, was recalled by his Championship employers today as cover for an injury crisis.

Hereford have lost just once since Eustace, 27, joined in October and he had formed a useful midfield partnership with fellow loanee Neil MacKenzie from Scunthorpe United.

"We are disappointed," said United first-team coach John Trewick. "I think Stoke have got one or two injuries in midfield which have prompted them to take him back.

"We had him for an extra month which took us through to the new year. We have lost him for that and I don't think we can have him back after that. He felt he was getting some benefit from playing matches and he added a bit of quality to the squad so both parties are disappointed."

Eustace is likey to be replaced by Luke Webb or Andy Ferrell for Saturday's early noon kick-off with Shrewsbury at Gay Meadow.

United could also be without striker Andy Williams, who has been suffering from a tonsil problem.

In addition, goalkeeper Wayne Brown missed training on Thursday through illness and Alex Jeannin is struggling with a hamstring problem.

But, whoever starts, Trewick wants the team to start turning draws into victories after the 1-1 stalemate against Torquay last week.

He said: "We started off sloppily against Torquay in the first-half and for 20 to 25 minutes we didn't pay them enough attention.

"But once we got to grips with that we started to dominate the game a lot more and take the game to them.

"Although it wasn't our best performance, I felt we could have won the game.

"The important thing is to stop saying we should have done it and actually do it."

Saturday's fixture, the third between Hereford and Shrewsbury already this season, is expected to go ahead despite the pitch flooding this week.

The Bulls triumphed over their Shropshire counterparts in the FA Cup but were beaten in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in October.

"As far as we are concerned the game is on," added Trewick. "If, in the next 24 hours, they decide to call it off then so be it. We are preparing as if there is no doubt.

"We know each other very well but you can know too much. They know us as well as we know them and sometimes that can lead to cancelling each other out."