MICKY Barron will this afternoon continue his comeback from injury, with a new contract in the bag and praise from his manager.

The Hartlepool United captain has only played ten times this season - a double hernia operation and knee surgery ruling him out of action for long periods.

He was an unused substitute in Saturday's goalless FA Cup draw at Brentford, his first involvement in Neale Cooper's side since the FA Cup win over Aldershot on December 4.

Today he will play another reserve game as Pool's second string meet Rotherham at Victoria Park.

"It was good to have him back at the weekend,'' said Cooper.

"He signed a new contract last week and he deserves it because of his service to the club. I think he will be due a testimonial, which is great for him.

"Micky has been brilliant, he just wants to go on and keep playing. He hasn't featured much because of injury this season, but sometimes you have to look after your players.

"It's up to the players to perform and do it on and off the pitch. Then they deserve contracts and deserve to stay at the club.

"That's the same for anyone - players, manager, coaches, everyone.''

Defender Chris Westwood admitted thoughts of the FA Cup and a possible trip to Southampton are on the back burner.

A visit to St Mary's is the prize for the winners of the replay with Brentford a week on Saturday.

But Westwood, second to Barron in the Victoria Park long-service stakes, knows the weekend's trip to Chesterfield is vital.

"I've said it before and it may sound a bit negative for us, but the most important thing is the league,'' he said.

"I don't think we are ever going to win the FA Cup are we? Realistically, how many teams from our level are going to do that?

"We've got to look at the league games and take the Cup games as they come and do well in them.

"But the league is what matters.''

Pool are believed to be interested in a move for Stockport's Jon Daly. The 6ft 3in striker played in last Saturday's defeat at Swindon, but was left out of the side for last night's draw with Bournemouth.

Daly scored for County against Pool at Victoria Park both this season and last and has netted five times this campaign. The 22-year-old has played for the Republic of Ireland at every level up to under-21.

Pool's home game with Huddersfield has been brought forward to Friday, March 26, to avoid a clash with the England v Northern Ireland World Cup qualifier.

* Ronnie Moore wants to get back into management as soon as possible following his departure from Championship strugglers Rotherham. Moore has left the club by mutual consent with eight years of ''good memories'' and a compensation package of around £50,000.

Caretaker manager Alan Knill and his assistant Mark Robins have been given the job of staving off relegation.