DELIGHTED Hartlepool United boss Mike Newell last night revealed Mark Tinkler's new deal was just rewards for consistent displays this season, writes Paul Fraser.

Tinkler signed a two-year extension to his current contract yesterday - keeping him at Victoria Park until the end of the 2004-05 campaign.

He is the fourth Pool player to pledge his future to the club this year - after skipper Michael Barron, forward Adam Boyd and defender Chris Westwood all put pen to paper on new terms.

And Newell, whose table-topping side entertain Southend United tomorrow, believes Tinkler is capable of adapting should Pool win promotion to Division Two.

"With the form Mark has been in it is pleasing that we have tied him up for another two years," said Newell, whose first home game in charge was against Southend back on October 26.

"He offers us a lot in the middle of the park and we are confident that he is capable of playing at a higher level.

"It's another sign of the backing we receive from the chairman and the owners IOR."

Tinkler, a former Leeds United middle man, has made 114 appearances since Chris Turner took him from Southend in November 2000 on a free transfer.

And now the Bishop Auckland-born former England youth international will be hoping to celebrate his new deal by scoring his 24th goal for the club against the Shrimpers tomorrow.

It is also understood that Newell is in negotiations with defender Graeme Lee and midfielder Ritchie Humphreys over new contracts.

Read more about Hartlepool here.