Matt Murray will return to the Hereford United starting line-up for the League One match at home to Northampton Town this afternoon.

The on-loan Wolves goalkeeper missed Hereford's FA Cup defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge earlier in the week because his parent club did not want him cup-tied. He will replace Craig Samson today.

Murray is scheduled to play three more games for the Bulls before rejoining Wolves after Hereford's league match against Colchester United on December 6.

The 27-year-old, who is on the comeback trail after injury, made several good saves in Hereford's 3-0 win over Cheltenham Town last Saturday.

"It was the third time I have come back from the long lay-off so it was all about getting through the game, and everything else was a bonus," said Murray.

"There were a few bits of my game that weren't as I would have liked but I came through unscathed. I just wanted to go out and play first-team football again."

"The one thing about football is that you can be on a high one minute and a low the next."

Northampton chief Stuart Gray is a former Wolves caretaker manager and is well aware of Murray's abilities. He has told his players that he will be difficult to beat.

"Matt Murray is a fantastic goalkeeper. He is a high presence in the penalty area and we know we've got a big man to beat when we get through," said Gray.

"Some players are just not blessed, and he has been unfortunate with injuries. If he was clear of injuries he'd be in the England set-up – that is how good I think he is."

Hereford will also be strengthened by the return of Lionel Ainsworth. The winger, a crowd favourite at Edgar Street, has rejoined Hereford on a month's loan from Watford, who he signed for last season.

The 21-year-old scored eight goals for the Bulls at the start of last season before being transferred to Vicarage Road.

Full-back Richard Rose could also be in line to return after missing the win over Cheltenham due to a virus. He came on as a substitute at Dagenham.

Sam Gwynne and Stephen O'Leary face late fitness checks before Bulls chief Graham Turner names his starting line-up.

Hereford are now only three points adrift of Yeovil Town and Colchester United and a win over Northampton would be a big boostt for Turner and his men

"The next thing is to get out of the relegation zone," said Turner.

"That's the next psychological step – I've been saying all along that we are better than our position suggests."

Hereford from: Murray, Diagouraga, Rose, Beckwith, Broadhurst, Taylor, Gwynne, Smith, O'Leary, Easton, Guinan, Williams, Ainsworth, Samson, Johnson, Hudson-Odoi, Chadwick, Breen, Done, McLeod.