GORDON Watson spends most of his time in the limelight at Hartlepool United, but all eyes are likely to be on the striker for different reasons tonight.

Because the five-goal striker faces Tranmere's Kevin Gray for the first time since walking away from the High Court in May 1999 with almost £1m awarded in damages following an horrific tackle.

Watson was just weeks into his Bradford City career in February 1997 when his leg was smashed by Gray, then of Huddersfield.

In the last year, however, Watson, the darling of the Pool fans, has proved his worth as the mainstay of Pool's run of form that has lifted Chris Turner's team to the upper reaches of the table.

He netted 18 times last season, has five already this campaign, and spearheads Pool's attempt to claim their first League Cup win since beating Scarborough on penalties in 1995.

Watson was on target for the second game in succession on Saturday when he netted Pool's equaliser at Swansea.

Pool's first goal came from Mark Tinkler, who admitted: "Flash is a great character to have around the club. He's a good lad and is full of enthusiasm and life.

"Everyone relies on the strikers to get goals, but we try and help out as much as we can.

"There is a danger that we can rely on Flash too much, it's up to the rest of us to work hard and chip in as well. But then you look at what he did on Saturday - scoring straight after we went behind.

"It was a great ball in by Arnie and he wasn't going to miss it.''

Tinkler netted a personal best nine times last season and is already on three for the current campaign.

"I was pleased with my goal on Saturday, but then disappointed to give away the penalty,'' he said. "I thought we got behind them a lot, got a goal, but then I went up for a header in the penalty box and got a push.

"The ball did hit my hand, but I felt we should have had a free kick for the push.

"The goal was a good strike, I just caught it cleanly. I've got three now this season, so I'm pleased with that. Last season we had to get more goals from midfield with Tommy Miller leaving and hopefully we can get a lot this season.

"We've also got Ritchie Humphreys and Darrell Clarke in there who will also score goals, it's a bit of a bonus when midfielders and defenders chip in as well.''

Now Tinkler's sights are on Tranmere and he admitted: "It will be a different sort of game to Division Three, they will try and get the ball down and play it about it.

"It's always a good experience for the lads to play against higher division teams, they were in the First Division not long ago.''

Turner added: "They are a good cup side. We've a big week coming up and this game isn't a distraction, but we don't want to get any injuries. The Cups are important - of course we want to progress but we have to keep performing and doing well in the League.''

* Tickets are on sale up to kick-off tonight for Saturday's all-ticket derby with Darlington. The club shop is also open until 7pm on Thursday and Friday and from 9.30 to noon on the day of the game.

Read more about Hartlepool here.