MIKE NEWELL is looking to his left-wing magician to keep Hartlepool United out in front.

New Hartlepool boss Newell enjoyed a debut victory at Orient last Saturday, but saw his side unceremoniously dumped out of the FA Cup in midweek. Pool conceded two last-gasp Southend goals, which meant a 2-1 reverse in his first home game in control.

But Pool and Newell have a quick chance to bounce back this afternoon as Kidderminster visit Victoria Park - and Newell, a Premiership winner with Blackburn in 1995, is looking to left-winger Paul Smith to supply the ammunition for his strikers.

Smith missed the majority of the start of the campaign after suffering a knee injury during Pool's pre-season tour of Holland. But in the last few games he has showed he is getting back to his best.

The boss has options for the opposite flank. In his two games to date, Newell has used Darrell Clarke, Paul Arnison and Steven Istead on the right side.

Clarke was rested for Tuesday's FA Cup defeat, Arnison started but was replaced in the second-half by teenager Istead, who has impressed everyone at Victoria Park with his pace and energy.

Istead, freed by Newcastle during the summer, carried on that form by setting up two goals in the reserves' 4-0 win over York on Wednesday and Newell admitted: "I thought Smudger had a great game on Tuesday - he's got a wand there for a left foot and we need to make more use of it.

"Istead came on and you can see why he's been in the squad. He's bright and he can liven things up. He's got a lot of pace about him, but he's got a little bit about him as well.

"It's no good just having pace and nothing else, you need something and there is a little spark there.

"I just thought Darrell Clarke needed a rest the other night. I spoke to him before anybody else to let him know and he took it as well as can be expected.''

Clarke is likely to return this afternoon after Arnison took a knock on Tuesday and Eifion Williams should continue in the forward line after being clattered by Southend midfielder Kevin Maher on Tuesday.

Now Newell is desperate to make it seven Division Three games without defeat for Pool. Since losing at Bournemouth in front of the Sky cameras on October 13, five wins and a draw have ensured a four-point lead at the top of Division Three.

He said: "Maybe it was getting a little bit to easy for us at the end on Tuesday.

"The second-half performance was again very good and we were in control. But it's the FA Cup and these things happen.

"Until these next few weeks are out of the way and see how the results go and performances go and we will never know how this result has affected us.

"In the dressing room everyone was devastated because they are competitors and I just said to them that they had played well and they had not to let the result affect them.

"We were absolutely gutted straight after the game, but I said they couldn't be down because their performance was strong. I'm learning about the lads by the day, as characters as well as players.

"The way they reacted in the dressing room was exactly what I expected. Nothing is more pertinent than losing a game - so there's the honeymoon over and let's see how quickly we can bounce back.

"All Tuesday was about was winning and being in the hat for round two. We looked in total control and then ended up devastated.

"But they've been bubbling in training since then and the only way we can respond is positively.''

l Skipper Micky Barron will miss the trip to Rochdale on December 14 after collecting five bookings.