NEALE Cooper has provided himself with a problem ahead of tonight's game at Walsall.

He takes his Hartlepool United side to the Bescot Stadium where they are desperate to halt a run of only one win in nine League One games away from Victoria Park.

And, after goalkeeper Jim Provett made an impressive return to the side in the weekend FA Cup win over Aldershot, Cooper must decide between last season's player of the year and Dimi Konstantopoulos.

Provett was dropped after the 3-0 defeat at Peterborough on October 23 and the Greek has proved a consistent performer since being given his chance.

Cooper admitted: "I think it is important to keep both goalies on their toes.

"Saturday was a good opportunity to play Jim. He's done well in the reserves.

"If I didn't play him on Saturday, then maybe he would have felt really out of the picture because Dimi got a chance in a couple of other cup games this season.

"I'm lucky in that I've got two very good goalkeepers and it's hard to choose between them.''

But Provett is desperate to maintain his place at the Bescot Stadium tonight and wants to be part of the side that ends the away hoodoo.

He said: "We haven't had a problem at home at all - we lost a few games last season at home, Plymouth, QPR and Barnsley, so that's what, something like three games in three years we have lost?

"That's not a bad record is it?

"I don't know what we can put our away form down to. We haven't done anything different. It's one of those things, but I know it will turn around.

"You are on edge a bit more away from home, you know teams are going to attack you that little bit more - you expect that, but you should be able to handle it.

"I've no doubt we will turn it around.''

And midfielder Mark Tinkler has joined Provett in admitting his bewilderment at Pool's pitiful away record.

Tinkler scored in Pool's only away success, at Huddersfield on August 16, and said: "It's so different to last season.

"We are still going into every game believing we can do it and win the game, but it's just not happening.

"Every game we play away from home, we are losing. It's just not going for us. We've got a game at Walsall and it's an important one, because we want to move up and get into the top few places.

"At the moment we are just outside the play-offs, but that is down to our home form.

"And if we want to do anything this season, we have to pick up some away points.

"I'm sure that if we keep working away it will come, but it is so frustrating that things are not going right for us.

Walsall's player-manager Paul Merson will start after suspension and last night warned his team to avoid complacency.

"I would like to think that our lads will be up for the game," he said.

"We go into it on the back of two league wins in a row and if we play to our potential then I am confident that we will be OK.

"That said, we won't be taking Hartlepool lightly because of their away record.

"They are a well-organised side who are once more challenging for the play-offs after falling at the play-off hurdle last term.''

Pool meet Boston at Victoria Park in the Third Round of the FA Cup on January 8, 2005.

Pool beat Lincoln in round one and Boston boss Steve Evans has already been warned by Keith Alexander, manager of The Red Imps.

He said: "I spoke to Keith not so long back and he said City could have been beaten 15-0 let alone three," said Evans.

"He said they got absolutely smashed and admitted they were a very good side. I'll be talking to him about them, but I am disappointed with the draw."

l Hull boss Peter Taylor won't be making a fresh approach for Micky Nelson this week.

Nelson was left out of the squad at the weekend following a week of speculation.

Hull have lodged a £100,000 bid, but Taylor revealed: "There's nothing going to happen this week in terms of bringing someone in. I'm happy to concentrate on what I've got. I've been delighted with the back four in the last two games.''