NEALE Cooper won't talk about promotion but, the way his team is going, it may soon be a big issue at Victoria Park.

Pool, on the back of a ten-game unbeaten run, travel to Brentford in the fourth round of the FA Cup this weekend.

Since losing at Walsall on December 7, they have raked in 20 points from a possible 24, only dropping points in draws at Bristol City and Barnsley.

Saturday's win over Bristol City at Victoria Park - Pool are unbeaten at Victoria Park in league and cup this season - kept Pool in fifth spot in League One.

And, with the chance of a place in round five of the FA Cup for the first time in the club's history, Cooper couldn't be happier.

The Pool boss admitted: "It scares me to watch them week-in week-out, the way they work for each other. It is great for Martin (Scott) and me to work with them, they are an absolute credit to this club.

"We never mention promotion here and we never did it last year either.

"We are strong in all departments across the pitch now and everyone has a great understanding of each other's game.

"We've been able to select a settled side of late, there hasn't been many changes and that always helps.

"All we can do is try and stay up there, try to keep going and set little targets for ourselves. There is still a long way to go.''

Pool were back in training yesterday after having Monday off and Cooper said: "The lads got a rest to take some time with their families. They have had a hard week and deserve it.

"The boys did not get back from Boston until the early hours of Thursday morning so they just went for a swim that afternoon. One or two of them looked tired as it has been a hard week. So to get a performance like that out of them is unbelievable.''

Pool's reserve side yesterday won 2-1 at Bradford City, with goals from Jack Wilkinson and Daniel Fox. Micky Barron completed the full game as he recovers from knee surgery.

l Darlington skipper Craig Liddle is ready to put his injury nightmare behind him at York City tonight

Liddle has not played November's 2-0 win at Cheltenham Town.

However, after returning to full training last week, the defender is ready to step up his recovery from a double hernia for Neil Maddison's reserve side.

Liddle's anticipated return will come as a boost to manager David Hodgson, whose side moved up to fifth in League Two following Saturday's 3-0 win over Shrewsbury Town at the Williamson Motors Stadium.

After a number of injury setbacks during recent seasons, the 33-year-old will be relieved to report a clean bill of health.

With separate stomach and shoulder problems, Liddle spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines earlier this season.

However, physio Paul Gough has backed Liddle to come back stronger than ever.

"Craig is looking as fit as he has done for a long time," said Gough. "He's put a lot of hard work in and now all he needs is a bit of match practice. He's suffered a lot of pain in the past by playing, but he's close to being back to his prime."

If Liddle comes through tonight's game unscathed then he will hope to be included in the squad which travels to Southend on Saturday.

Likewise, midfielder Stephen Thomas and David McGurk will be looking to stake their claim at KitKat Crescent this evening.

Read more about Hartlepool here.