MIKE Newell last night made his first signings as Hartlepool United boss.

Ahead of tonight's televised game at York, Newell extended the contracts of skipper Micky Barron and home-grown prodigy Adam Boyd until June 2005.

Barron's current deal was due to expire at the end of next season, but has signed a one-year extension to keep him at Victoria Park.

Boyd, who netted in last week's win over Exeter, has signed a two-year deal.

"It's nice to get them tied down early,'' said Newell. "It's good when anyone signs a new contract - it's a show of faith. And it's good for me personally because I haven't signed anyone yet.''

Barron, sent off last time Pool appeared on Sky when they lost at Bournemouth on October 13, is on course to become only the third player to captain Pool to promotion and Newell said: "Micky's signature is an important one, it sends out all the right signals.

"Ever since I came here he has impressed me. He's done well on the pitch and acts as a go-between off the field between the players and manager.

"You know what you are going to get with him every week, he's a consistent player and thankfully there's a few other players like that."

Barron admitted: "It's a pleasure to come and play and train every day and hopefully we can carry things on,''

Boyd, 20, has netted four times from six starts this season, including the second goal last week, but could find himself back on the sidelines today as top scorer Eifion Williams returns from suspension.

"His attitude has been spot on since we came to the club,'' said Newell.

"He's had to be very patient because the team has been playing well and scoring goals and he has had to wait for his chance.

"It's pleasing that he's a local lad and wants to commit his future to the club.

"I think scoring last week will have done him some good and hopefully we will start to see a lot more of him.

"He came on at Cambridge the other week and nearly scored, did well when he came on the week after and then scored last week.''

Boyd's header last week helped extend Pool's lead at the top to ten points and with Rushden having a day off today, the lead could be stretched even further.

The bookies have stopped taking bets on Pool being promoted, but Newell insisted: "All we care about is this game and going out and beating York.

"I know people will say it's about time the lads did something for the cameras, but that doesn't concern me.''

York are one of the clubs chasing Pool. Despite a season of uncertainty and financial worry, they are sixth, 18 points behind the leaders.

Newell said: "It can't be easy for them this season.

"They have done really well to get where they are, but without sounding hard, all I am concerned with is how we do."

Administrators last night confirmed the game will not be the club's last after a mystery investor agreed to fund the club for another seven days.

The future is still in serious doubt after a string of discussions during the last 48 hours failed to finalise a takeover deal, but survival has been guaranteed until at least the end of next week following a fresh promise of cash.

York were on the brink of collapse a month ago before the Supporters' Trust stepped in with £92,000 which has covered costs for the last four weeks.

However, with that money due to run out after today's game and no takeover bid agreed despite the confirmed interest of two parties, supporters feared the club would fold after the Pool game.

But David Willis, of administrators Jacksons Colliffe Cork, reassured fans that funding has been secured for another seven days after an unnamed backer stepped forward at the last minute.

Willis said: ''The positive thing to take from the last two days is that we have had a pledge from a third party that allows us to continue running the club for another week."

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