HARTLEPOOL United boss Neale Cooper will resist the temptation to hand a quick debut to new signing Scott Walker.

Cooper takes his side to Tranmere this afternoon and powerful Scottish defender Walker is in line for a place on the bench.

Pool are seeking some solidity away from home - they have conceded 24 times on their travels.

But they kept a clean sheet on their last League outing away from Victoria Park, a 2-0 win at Oldham on December 28, and Cooper will rely on the same back five.

But he admits having Walker on the bench will give him the welcome option of playing with three centre halves.

Earlier in the season, Cooper regularly changed his line-up, but has now settled on a 4-4-2.

He said: "Three at the back is an option we can think about when we need to. He can cover the left side. Chris Westwood has been brilliant this season, but we needed someone natural on the left.

"Sometimes we have to change the way we play away from home, there's certain games when we have to do it.

"We have stuck with four at the back for a while because we have the wide players to do it. Chris Shuker gives us a good balance on the right side and he has the ability to create things from there.

"He did it last week, especially in the first-half. He tired a bit, but he was suffering from a touch of flu and it affected him. But he has trained well all week.

"He's looked sharp and is a bubbly character to have around the place. Chris is a natural down there - look at the chances he created for us last week.''

Shuker has agreed to extend his stay at Victoria Park. He is on loan from Manchester City and is now into his second month at Pool.

There's every chance Cooper will want him to stay permanently and the Pool boss will be doing everything he can to keep him.

Walker arrives after spells at Dunfermline, Alloa and St Mirren and Cooper said: "I know all about him from his time in Scotland. He's a left-sided centre-half, but he can also play left-back.

"Micky Nelson is just one game away from a ban, so Scott gives us cover in that position. We've got him on a short-term contract so we can have a look at him.

"He played for Dunfermline this season. He's an ideal fill-in for Nelson if he is missing.

"Scott knows he is behind Westy and Nelson for a place. I told him that straightaway before he came here and he understands.

"I tried to sign him in the summer, but they wanted him in Scotland. Now it's come about that we could get him here and he's a good addition to the squad.''

In-form Eifion Williams is fit after hobbling off last week with a hip injury.

The striker has four goals in his last five games and Cooper admitted: "He's been playing as well as ever in the last few weeks.

"You could see how much we missed him last week when he want off injured.

"He works really hard along the front line. Your first line of defence has to be the strikers and he puts the graft in and closes down defenders.''

Williams has linked up with Joel Porter as the Australian international homes in on a new deal at Victoria Park. Cooper hinted last week he would be extending his short-term contract and the striker wants to stay.

The Pool boss said: "Joel is working as hard as Eifion up front. We want him to get involved more in the box and not be worried about shooting and that's something we are working on.

"He's got a great strike on him and we want to see more of it.

"He might be feeling the weather over here, but he's probably the whitest Australian I've ever seen! He probably goes to the North Pole for his holidays! But he has fitted in really well with the lads and when Eifion sees his workrate he responds in the same manner and vice versa.''

Tranmere enjoyed an FA Cup win at Bolton in midweek and have moved out of relegation trouble under Brian Little.

Cooper admitted: "They have done well of late. Dadi is a danger up front and Micky Mellon causes problems in midfield where they have a lot of experience.

"It will be tough, but we need to play like we have in our last two away games at Oldham and Sunderland.

"We took the game to them both and that's what we have to do again.''

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