HARTLEPOOL United have rejected a six-figure bid for Micky Nelson. Hull City boss Peter Taylor this week lodged a bid, believed to be in excess of £100,000, for the defender who last month submitted a written transfer request.

But Pool chairman Ken Hodcroft has dismissed the offer.

Taylor said: "We have spoken to Hartlepool. He is a player I'm interested in but we're looking at three or four defenders."

The big defender lodged his request, but Pool have only confirmed the letter was received - not if he is being made available.

Nelson will be part of the backline when Pool meet Bournemouth at Victoria Park this afternoon.

Wether it is his last game in a bluer and white shirt remains to be seen.

But as long as Ben Clark is suffering from a hamstring strain, Nelson, who cost Pool £70,000 from Bury in June 2003, will be at Victoria Park.

Pool have dropped just four points at home this season and assistant boss Martin Scott admits it is vital to maintain their strong run of results in front of their home fans, with away form so poor.

"It's a home game for us, which is what we need,'' he said. "We really cannot put our finger on why things have gone like that away from home.

"We were excellent away last year, to the extent we had the best away record in the division.

"But we drew too many games at home and that pegged us back a little bit.

"This year we are winning our home games but not picking anything up away.

"We didn't deserve anything at Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday. But it's important at home to get three more points this week.

"Bournemouth will be a tough game for us. They play 4-4-2 and pass the ball well.

"They are strong out wide and deliver good balls into the area.

"Steve Fletcher always makes it difficult up front. It looks like he may be injured, which would be a bonus for us.

"He's a big, strong target man and always wants to do well against Hartlepool because it's his home-town club and he will be playing in front of family and friends.''

Following a week dominated by niggling injuries, Pool's reserve side impressed on Wednesday, beating Preston 4-0.

And a number of the side could be handed recalls to the side today, with a string of players struggling to make the cut.

Scott revealed: "I had a chat before the game on Wednesday with Micky Barron and Gavin Strachan, because it is different for them playing in the reserves.

"I know they are good players and that they can do a good job in the first team.

"But they are willing and prepared to show what they can do in a reserve game, which is pleasing.

"They both played very well and worked hard for the side.

"John Brackstone and Darren Craddock gave excellent performances and the young lads up front worked away and got their rewards with goals.''

Pool keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos admits he is as puzzled as the next man over Pool's contrasting fortunes.

Home and away are different stories for Cooper's side this season, with eight away defeats in stark contrast to nine unbeaten home games.

The big Greek has conceded just three times in five games since being given a run in the side and admitted: "We have to get the winning mentality back in the team away from home. It should not matter whether we are at home or away, we should be winning more games.

"I think we will get there. We are not half-way into the season yet so there is time but it has meant that the pressure is on at home.

"We have a few people coming back from injury and that can only help.

"We are getting good results at home, we really have to take that away with us.''

Konstantopoulos was beaten twice as Pool went down 2-0 at Sheffield Wednesday last week.

And he admitted that his side could have no complaints over the outcome.

"They were better than us,'' he said. "In the first half we had a few half chances but in away games you have to take them.

"In the second we defended as well as we could but everything seemed to go for them.

"The second goal was going wide but it hit Westie on the head and went in, there was nothing I could do. That was so unlucky.

"I played at Hillsborough for the reserves last year but it was empty so there was a bit of a difference this time.

"I have played in front of big crowds of 15,000 to 20,000 in Portugal and back home in Greece but the fans are not as enthusiastic as they are here.

"The place was buzzing. I enjoy playing in such big grounds, it is why you play football and I don't find it intimidating when you have so many people against you, I enjoy it."

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