JUST when Neale Cooper thought his injury troubles were starting to ease, along came possibly the most costly of all.

The Hartlepool United boss has four players recovering from operations, although Mark Tinkler and Eifion Williams are both fit to face Torquay at Victoria Park this afternoon.

But Adam Boyd suffered a groin injury in training this week and is rated by Cooper as doubtful for today's game.

Boyd almost single handedly took Pool into the play-offs last season and has four goals to his name this campaign.

He was expected to resume his partnership with Williams this afternoon, a pairing which has brought six goals this season.

Boyd was paired with David Foley last week at Oldham and he would welcome Williams' return today.

Williams is ready to face his former club following a hip injury.

Today's game is likely to come too soon for skipper Micky Barron.

He has only 20 minutes of reserve team action under his belt as he returns from a hernia operation.

Barron played a full-scale practice game in midweek and admitted: "I was disappointed that our reserves game against Tranmere on Wednesday was called off.

"If I got the full 90 minutes under my belt I felt I might be involved on Saturday.

"But we had a practice match this week and it was nice to be involved again. I've also been doing some extra running this week, so I'm definitely feeling my age at the moment!

"But I'll probably feel the benefit of it."

Jack Ross had a knee operation yesterday and will be out for a month, so Barron's return to the right back role would be a big lift to a youthful-looking squad.

Last week's 16 on duty at Oldham included eight who have come through the youth ranks.

Pool are unbeaten at home to date this season, but too many draws proved costly last season and, with two draws already at Victoria Park, Cooper wants his side to become more ruthless in front of their own fans.

"Last season we had the best away record in the league so we want to do something similar at home.

"To do that we need to stick together and use the advantage of being at home by winning in front of our own supporters.

"We need to be strong and take the game to them by causing problems, we have also lost a few goals lately and we need to stamp that out starting tomorrow.''

* England's under-18s will face their Scotland counterparts in a friendly at Victoria Park on Wednesday, December 22.

The team is managed by former Middlesbrough captain Nigel Pearson.

* Pool have signed teenagers Carl Jones and James Brown after impressing on trial.

Central defener Jones, 18, has impressed after moving from Chester-le-Street, while striker Brown is a striker who started out with Cramlington Boys Club.

Read more about Hartlepool here.