TENBURY United joint-boss Nicky Stocker hopes the return of some familiar faces will kickstart his side’s season after what he admits has been a ‘nightmare’ start.

United were dumped out of the Herefordshire FA Charity Bowl 4-0 at home by fellow top-flight outfit Kingstone Rovers last weekend.

They are without a win three games into the league season – one draw and two defeats – and sit second-bottom of the Herefordshire Premier.

But Stocker puts the slow start down to the absence of several experienced players – including himself, joint-manager Aaron Morris and midfielder Mike Foster.

He is hoping that once they return – potentially joined by former United star Dale Withers, who Stocker is bidding to convince to come back to the club – then Tenbury’s fortunes will improve.

Stocker said: “It’s been a tough start. First, I was on holiday, then Aaron’s been away and we’ve just had a lot of people out – September has been an absolute nightmare.

“Apart from Aaron, we were all back on Saturday so I was hoping we would get a result and kick on but we looked a month behind Kingstone to be honest.

“Aaron was a big miss for us – we’ve got a lot of young players, not many real leaders, so when your most experienced player is out, you miss him.

“We’ve also missed Mike Foster, whose wife has had a baby and he’s still struggling to commit at the moment but he’s said another two weeks and he will be back, which will be massive for us.

“I’m also hoping to get Dale Withers back. He’s had a year and a half out but I’ve heard he wants to play again.

“If we can get those two experienced lads back into the fold, plus Aaron, then straightaway I don’t think we are far away from where we want to be.”

The ongoing problem with a lack of officials in the league meant United’s cup game did not have a designated referee – and they are unsure if one will be assigned for this weekend’s Premier visit to Ewyas Harold.

Stocker is determined to pick up a first win of the season but says United will consider asking for a postponement, if allowed, should a referee not be available.

He added: “The league put out a statement saying that if there isn’t a referee, then the game needs to be officiated by someone neutral but that is easier said than done.

“When we played Malvern, one of their lot refereed the game and while they were the better side, the game was decided by a big refereeing decision.

“I’ve already said I won’t be playing if it’s a ‘neutral’ ref but if we are going to get points taken off us, I guess we have to look for ways around it.”

Meanwhile, Tenbury Town’s own tough start continued as they lost 3-0 at Westfields Reserves in the Premier. They travel to Hinton this weekend looking for a second win of the season.