COMEBACK kings Paul Smith and Tommy Widdrington have been tipped to give Hartlepool United the boost they need for their weekend double header.

The pair are back in contention for starting roles at Torquay this afternoon and Pool goalkeeper Anthony Williams is convinced they can recapture their best form.

Smith, who came on as a second-half substitute against Macclesfield a week ago, has been sidelined with a knee injury since the pre-season opener against Dutch side Theole.

Now the 26-year-old is expected to return to Chris Turner's starting line-up for the clash with the Gulls.

And Williams is convinced that Pool will benefit from having the flying winger back in the team.

"Everyone knows what Paul Smith gives to us," said the 24-year-old. "To have him in there will give the forwards a boost because of the crosses he puts in.

"The crosses he fires in always offer that little bit extra, they are a little bit special."

Widdrington, who has not kicked a ball for the first team since the 3-2 win over Scunthorpe on January 29, has been included in the squad for the long trip to Plainmoor. But after shrugging off his troublesome hamstring injury, the midfielder is only likely to be named on the bench.

Williams, however, is adamant that just having both players involved on a match day again is a huge boost to the rest of the playing staff. To have Tommy back is great and it gives the players confidence," said the former Blackburn Rovers shot-stopper.

"Tommy has been unlucky because he has been out for ages, but he will probably want to quickly get back into the action.

"Whenever useful players come back from injury it's a boost to us and hopefully it will show against Torquay."

Turner's team selection for today's clash in Devon was given further good news when Eifion Williams declared himself fit.

The Welsh front-man had to be replaced by Jermaine Easter last Saturday with hamstring trouble, but he has trained for the last two days and is raring to go against his former employers.

Eifion Williams will line-up alongside Gordon Watson at Torquay and it will be the first time he has played in front of his old fans since his £30,000 switch to the North-East in March.

And his namesake, Anthony, believes the Pool forward will be able to put the jeers from the stands to the back of his mind.

"I really don't think it will bother Eifion," said the Victoria Park No 1. "He is expecting a bit of stick but he'll just get on with it.

"Eifion has been doing well and his partnership with Watson is really coming on now.

"It would have been disappointing to lose him for a couple of months with hamstring trouble, so it's good that he is fit.

"And he will be trying to play well against Torquay on Saturday - that's for sure."

After the Torquay match, Pool will then switch their attentions to an all-ticket encounter with big-spending Hull City on Monday at Victoria Park.

And Anthony Williams is hoping for maximum points from the Bank Holiday weekend to push Pool back to the pinnacle of the Third Division.

"Hull have not started that well but they have got some good players," he said.

"We know we can beat anyone though. And if we claim six points from these two games then we should be back at the top."

* Tickets for the Hull City game will be available from the club shop this morning and Monday between 10am-12pm. The home clash with Darlington on September 14 is all-ticket.

Read more about Hartlepool here.