HEREFORD United manager Graham Turner has challenged his players to secure much-needed points away from Edgar Street.

The Bulls head to Colchester United’s Community Stadium on Saturday (3pm) having taken just one point from nine games on their travels, a run which has contributed to their lowly 22nd position in League One.

Hereford have not played since the 3-0 defeat at MK Dons on November 25 because of their early exit from the FA Cup and have been working hard on the training pitch in the interim.

Following their mini-break, Turner wants his players to build on the performance from that match despite it being their third defeat in a row in all competitions.

He said: “The Colchester game is one to look forward to and it’s another new ground to go to.

“Generally, we seem to perform well on the good surfaces against good teams and, despite the result against MK Dons, I thought we played exceptionally well for large periods.

“Now it’s time we started picking up points away from home and there’s no better place to start than Colchester.

“During the period we have had off, we have worked very hard so I hope we see some benefits from that.

“John Trewick and I watched them at Northampton and they made the most of their strength in the air from set-pieces and corners. That’s something we are going to have to cope with.

“They are direct, hard-working and strong.”

New loan signings, keeper Chris Weale and defender Josh Gowling, will make their debuts following the injury to Wolves’ Matt Murray and Karl Broadhurst being suspended for five yellow cards.

Winger Lionel Ainsworth, on loan from Watford, is set to return despite fears he would face a lengthy spell out following a knee injury in the 2-0 defeat against Northampton.

Liverpool loan defender Robbie Threfall is set to resume training next week after a long spell out with a foot injury.

Meanwhile, the League One clash between Hereford and Leeds at Edgar Street on Saturday, January 3, will be all-ticket.