SETBACKS in the transfer window have frustrated Hereford United boss Graham Turner this week.

The Edgar Street chief lost out to Coca-Cola League One strugglers Cheltenham Town for Bristol City midfielder Alex Russell, while Turner also revealed that another Championship player he had hoped to bring in for Sunday's local derby against Shrewsbury Town rejected his overtures.

"They just didn't want to drop down to League Two," bemoaned Turner.

"Its frustrating as we have a lot of attractive games coming up and we are challenging for promotion.

"The lad who turned us down on Friday was back in his club's squad for the weekend so things may change on that front as the month goes."

With Hereford looking to maintain their place in the automatic promotion places in League Two, Turner has set his focus on bringing in players from higher divisions. And the Bulls boss is hoping that it won't belong before he can freshen up his squad.

The Edgar Street outfit have benefited from the transfer fee of the sale of Lionel Ainsworth to Watford, believed to be more than £200,000, and the shrewd operator in the transfer market is finding it tough to attract new blood.

"I'm not the only manager who is experiencing these problems," he added.

"I'm waiting to speak to another Championship club about a player so hopefully something will happen soon."

Meanwhile, Lee Collins' loan spell at Edgar Street from Wolverhampton Wanderers will come to an end on January 22.