PAUL SMITH returns to the Hartlepool United starting line-up today for the first time since recovering from a knee injury.

Manager Chris Turner is convinced his wing-wizard can get his promotion-chasing side back on track at home to Wrexham.

Skilful Smith has not played since the 1-0 victory at Oxford on August 31, when he was replaced by Tommy Widdrington.

Turner, whose side suffered defeat at Bournemouth last Sunday, believes the former Burnley man is ready to take the Third Division by storm again.

"Paul is fully fit," said Turner, who will name Widdrington on the bench. "Ritchie Humphreys has been excellent out wide but now he can go in the middle and we can bring Smith in.

"Smith gives us that extra bit of height on the wing and he will give us that different option with his crossing."

Also pencilled in is striker Marcus Richardson, who will be making his first start since his switch from Torquay United. He replaces Adam Boyd.

Turner said: "Marcus has looked sharp since moving here and he has been doing well for the reserves (he has scored two goals in two games)."

Turner's men have suffered two defeats - against Macclesfield and Rushden & Diamonds - in their opening six matches on home soil.

But the Pool chief is not too concerned and said: "We have won four of our games at home so we are doing OK. No team is going to go the full season without losing at home and we have to realise that."

If Pool are to claim their fifth success at home of the campaign this afternoon then Pool's rearguard will have to keep the League's top-scorer quiet.

Wrexham's Andy Morrell - a former Newcastle Blue Star forward - has 12 goals to his name.

But Turner knows if his defenders are on song they can be a match for any forward in the division.

He said: "Morrell has done very well for them this season and we will have to watch him.

"But a couple of weeks ago we played Shrewsbury and we had to watch Luke Rodgers. We did that and came away with the three points. We can do it again."

Wrexham, meanwhile, will include Hartlepool-born Steve Thomas in the middle of midfield.

The 23-year-old used to watch Pool with his school friends, but he has not set foot inside Victoria Park for ten years and he is expecting to see a huge transformation both on and off the field.

Uncompromising Thomas, who once played in the same town team as Pool defender Paul Arnison, will have a lot of his family and friends in the stands today.

The former Welsh Under-21 international said: "It will be the first time I've played there as a professional and it should be interesting playing against Hartlepool.

"I have not been back there since I was 13 or 14 and I have heard there have been some changes, so it will be interesting to see."

Thomas, who used to play for Trimdon United Juniors, has become a regular in manager Denis Smith's side.

But he was missing for the last trip to the North-East when the Red Dragons claimed a 1-0 victory over Darlington at Feethams.

Thomas admitted he was left frustrated after being ruled out of the fixture with Pool's arch rivals through injury.

"It was really disappointing," said Thomas, who qualifies to play for Wales because his grandad is from Cardigan.

"It would have been brilliant to play against Darlington but I twisted my ankle the week before that game and I have only just got my fitness back."

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