MARCUS Palmer is desperate to break into the Hereford United first team after extending his contract to the end of the season earlier this month.

The 20-year-old Gloucester-based striker's deal at Edgar Street comes to an end in June and, with only six months left to impress boss Graham Turner, the former Bristol Rovers schoolboy has to try and oust Trevor Benjamin, Steve Guinan or Theo Rob-inson from the starting XI.

But the ex-Cheltenham forward knows that the trio in front of him are delivering the goods for the Bulls.

"I'm itching to get a game but I've had be patient, with Trevor Benjamin, Steve Guinan and Theo Robinson all scoring goals for us," said Palmer.

"It's probably not helped me that the team have done so well but the gaffer has told me to keep working hard and I'll get a chance."

But should things not go as planned for Palmer, he knows there is nothing to fear from taking one step back to take two forward.

His former Hereford team-mate Stuart Fleetwood has been scoring goals for fun in the Blue Square Premier, 30 in 33 games, and the ex-Wales Under 21 international has just rejected a £175,000 move to League One outfit Crewe Alexandra to stay and try to fire Forest Green Rovers into the play-off places.

"I've got half-a-season left to make the breakthrough and I'm pretty confident I can do that. If not, then Stu (Fleetwood) has shown at Forest Green that sometimes it's better to take a step down before coming back up," Palmer added.