TAMIKA Mkandawire looks set to be passed fit for Hereford United's FA Cup third round tie at Bristol Rovers tomorrow night (7.45pm).

The Bulls skipper saw a specialist in Manchester today after completing just 20 minutes of the 0-0 draw with Wycombe Wanderers on New Year's Day because of a groin strain.

Fears that the defender had a hernia have proved a false alarm, however, and Hereford chief Graham Turner is confident Mkandawire can feature at the Memorial Stadium.

He said: "It was feared that it was a hernia but it isn't. He's just torn some of the fibres in his groin and he could play."

Mkandawire was the only injury doubt for United ahead of the trip to Avon after fellow defender Dean Beckwith shook off a virus to return to training this week.

Beckwith has just served a three-game ban but missed the Wycombe trip through illness.

Hereford head to Bristol in confident mood after four clean sheets over the Christmas and new year period helped them to wins against Notts County and Wrexham as well as draws with Wycombe and tomorrow night's opponents.

Turner believes his side have what it takes to reach the fourth round for the first time in 15 years against their Coca-Cola League Two rivals.

The two sides played out a goalless draw at Edgar Street on Boxing Day and United lost 2-1 in the reverse fixture in September.

Turner said: "We were disappointed not to take all three points at Wycombe on Monday but the signs have been good over Christmas and new year.

"We feel we have got every chance of winning at Bristol Rovers and getting into the fourth round.

"We have got a lot of respect for Bristol Rovers. We were disappointed to lose narrowly at their place and it could have gone either way at Christmas at our place but we just feel it will be tight.

"There will not be a lot in it and we have the ingredients to win it."

Former Hereford player Ryan Green is a major doubt for the game after the full-back suffered a groin strain warming down after Monday's win over Torquay.

The Gasheads welcome back forward Sean Rigg, who has recovered from a broken jaw after being punched in Rovers' first round win at Barrow.

Defender Byron Anthony will miss the game after being ruled out for two months with suspected knee ligament damage sustained in the 2-2 draw at Walsall on December 30.

Former Kidderminster Harriers defender Craig Hinton is likely to keep his place.