EIFION Williams is the man who can't lose tonight.

Hartlepool United and Williams are at Ashton Gate, with their Second Division play-off semi-final tie with Bristol City delicately balanced at 1-1.

And tonight the Welshman, Pool's top scorer with 14 goals to his name this season, will either be looking forward to a place in the Millennium Stadium final on Sunday, May 30 or mulling over the consolation prize of an international debut.

Williams, born in Bangor, was last week called up for international duty by Wales boss Mark Hughes.

But the two games - against Norway and Canada take place next week, when Williams hopes to be preparing for a play-off final.

If Pool triumph tonight, they will be one game away from Division One and games with Sunderland and Leeds in the 2004-5 campaign.

But if they lose, the most successful season in the club's history will be capped with the club's first international honour since Ambrose Fogarty pulled on a Republic of Ireland shirt in 1964.

"It's win-win for me I suppose. It's a great honour to be selected,'' Williams admitted.

"Before the last Wales game, against Scotland, I was told I had been watched and they had been impressed with the way I had played.

"I was looking at the squad for that game, but I wasn't in so I thought that was it and my chance had gone.

"From the club's point of view it's good as well, because it gives the club some recognition.

"If we lose on Wednesday, then I get the chance to play for my country. If we win, then I will hopefully be playing at the National Stadium.''

Wales boss Mark Hughes said: "I have heard good reports about him.

"He puts himself around, chases lost causes and is very enthusiastic. I would like to see him first hand and see what he can do.''

Williams added: "We played Blackpool at home and I was talking to a Welsh scout in the car park.

"He said he had been to a few games, it might have been Stockport at home as well and it was around March time when they were watching me.

"It was great to see my name on Teletext in the squad. I was out when the squad was announced and I had some fans coming up, congratulating me and I didn't know at first why!

"Then my old man rang me to tell and the first thing I did when I got home was check on the Teletext. We play in Norway and then at Wrexham, so it would be nice being from North Wales.

"My dad is very proud and it is not too far away for him to watch.''

Pool are not too far away from a place in the final, after a strong performance in Saturday's first-leg.

And, with ten away wins to their name this season and 37 goals on the road, Pool have every belief they can breach the division's meanest home defence.

He added: "We gave them a good game down there earlier in the season. I think a lot of teams have showed us a lot of respect throughout the season and we have earned it.

"Look at when we went to Rushden, they sat off and let us have the ball all game.

"Our away form speaks for itself and it was very important that after Saturday, we had something to hang on for.

"Then if it doesn't work out, I have a consolation prize.

"There is no pressure on us at all, no-one expected us to be in this position anyway.

"Everyone had us down for relegation, so to be where we are is a bonus. The games are possibly the biggest in the club's history, but looking at the lads you wouldn't think so. Everyone is so relaxed.

"They have a very good home record but we don't fear anyone in this division.

''We're going to go for it. The manager tells us before every game to go for it.

''We're going there knowing they will have periods of pressure and it's going to be tough. We went there earlier in the season and got a draw and we're confident that we can nick a goal.

''We don't want another draw though because that would mean another penalty shoot-out.''

Williams has played the last three games on the right wing, with boss Neale Cooper preferring the Adam Boyd and Joel Porter partnership. Porter netted Pool's leveller on Saturday and Cooper feels that Williams links up like a third striker in the side at times.

Williams admitted: ''It's unusual. I've played a few games out there now and it's a hard position to play.

"I've scored a few goals this season but now I've got to try and supply as well.

''I came here as a striker but the manager thinks I'm doing a job on the right.''

Cooper is expected to have both Micky Nelson and Jim Provett fit after they suffered knocks on Saturday. Both have sat out of training as precautionary measures.

City skipper Tommy Doherty is should be fit after suffering concussion during a clash with Williams on Saturday.

l Striker Jermaine Easter is to sign for Cambridge after having the final year of his Pool contract cancelled.