ALTHOUGH he may be down to 13 fit players for the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying round tie at Hereford United on Saturday, Kevin Glendon will be telling his Boro players to play without fear.

"What have we to lose?" he said.

"I only have a 16-strong squad to start with.

"Now I have Steve Spencer out with a long term knee injury, Lee Duffy suspended, Paul McGuire out with a hamstring, and Paul Challinor, Karl Marginson and Stephen Hill taking fitness tests Saturday morning.

"So really we have nothing to lose, because everyone expects us to get a thumping.

"But I still think we can cause an upset.

"I will be telling the lads to go out and enjoy themselves, play to their strengths and abilities, and not let themselves down.

"Hereford train every day, so they should be fitter and stronger, and they should be good at set pieces.

"But I believe there is as much quality in my side as there is in theirs.

"So I will be going into the game upbeat, and I will be telling the lads to be the same."

Glendon understandably wrapped his charges in cotton wool during training this week, and tried to augment his decimated squad with short -term or loan signings, but was unsuccessful.

"Most decent players that were available were cup-tied anyway," he said.

"I even contacted Paul Gascoigne, but he is injured!"

All of which leaves him with his bunch or walking wounded. But where there is life , there is hope.

"If we can keep it to 0-0 at half-time the pressure will be all on them," he said.

"We have to play to our potential and play collectively, as a unit, because as far as experience goes I believe we can match them.

"Obviously we will need our fair share of luck, but if we can give as good as we take I think we can get at least a draw.

"Get them back to Stainton Park and it could be a different story, injuries or no injuries."

Cheering Boro on at the Edgar Street Athletic Ground will be three coach loads of supporters, in addition to those travelling by car.

If Boro can hold Hereford to a draw, the replay will take place next Tuesday, November 2, kick -off 7.45pm.