NEW boy Jack Ross was last night left behind as his new Hartlepool United teammates headed for Holland.

Pool set sail from North Shields for a five-day stint in the Netherlands, where they will kick-off their pre-season campaign with games against Top Oss tomorrow and FC Eindhoven on Friday.

But Ross, Pool's only summer recruit, has been forced to pull out of the trip after suffering a knee injury in training yesterday morning.

The former Clyde skipper, who yesterday launched Pool's new home and away kits alongside Pool captain Micky Barron, has missed only a handful of Scottish First Division games in recent seasons.

As the midfielder saw off his new teammates from Victoria Park, he admitted: "It's one of those things, I would have liked to have gone with them.

"I did it in training today. I struck through the ball and just felt it. All I can do it rest it and get treatment this week while the boys are away.

"I'm sure I will be OK for the trip to Scotland next week after a bit of treatment.

"It would have been good to get away with the boys. I've done all the running and fitness work with them and now I want to play in games.''

Ross, who moves into his new house in the North-East next week, added: "It has all gone very well so far. There's been plenty of hard work and I was well aware of how well they did last season and how fit they all were. Maybe just how fit they were took me by surprise a little bit but I felt stronger after the first couple of days.''

Trialist Chris Lumsdon has travelled to the training camp in Zeist. The former Sunderland midfielder is available on a free transfer from Barnsley and boss Neale Cooper said: "He's done well so far, he looks a good player and he has fitted in very well.''

Mansfield boss Keith Curle yesterday claimed Pool have made a bid for defender Rhys Day.

The Welsh under-21 international is out of contract at Field Mill and is due back for pre-season training after being told to stay away while he mulls over his future. Curle said Pool had bid £5,000 up front, with a similar amount to follow and admitted: "He's too good a player to let go for the sort of money offered by Hartlepool and I am confident he'll sign a new deal with us ''

Pool are now unlikely to follow up their initial interest.

* Pool also yesterday announced a new sponsorship deal with Dove Energy. The company specialises in oil production in the Yemen.

The new home strip, made by Nike, will be available in the first week of August and is available to pre-order on-line at www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk. The away strip will not be available until September. Both shirts are £39.99.

Read more about Hartlepool here.