CHRIS Turner has targeted a mid-August return for Tommy Widdrington.

The Hartlepool United midfielder has been sidelined since breaking down with back and hamstring trouble in Pool's win over Scunthorpe in February.

He missed the run-in last season and Pool had hoped he would be ready to join them for their return to training last week.

But the former Southampton schemer is still struggling to make his return despite a stint at the FA rehabilitation centre at Lilleshall.

Widdrington won't be joining his Pool teammates on next week's pre-season tour to Holland and is unlikely to be part of the line-up for the opening game of the season at Carlisle on August 10.

"Tommy is coming along slowly,'' said Turner. "We hope he will be ready around kick-off time.

"He will be back in full-time training when he is ready for it. It's been a long-term thing with him. No-one has really known the extent of the injury. He has seen specialists about it and they have been a bit bemused by it all.

"He's had a useful time at Lilleshall and he has a series of dedicated stretching exercises to stick to which are helping.''

Widdrington, a calming influence in the Pool engine room, moved to Victoria Park on a free transfer last summer and made 24 League starts, netting two goals.

Pool will unveil their new kit tomorrow morning at Victoria Park, with Century FM presenter Goffy. The new home and away strips are likely to go on sale in time for the new season.

Former Pool midfielder Chris Beech has moved to Rochdale after being freed by Huddersfield and freed goalkeeper Martin Hollund has signed for Norwegian Third Division club Lv-ham who are based in his home town of Bergen.

James Coppinger, who has spent two spells on loan at Pool, is being tracked by Third Division rivals Exeter City and Hull after being released by Newcastle, writes PAUL FRASER.

The skillful forward is due in Exeter later today for talks and it is understood that a move is on the cards. The 21-year-old scored two goals for Pool in 14 appearances at the back end of last season when he helped the Victoria Park club to a play-off place.

Now it seems Coppinger, who joined Newcastle from Darlington in 1998, could be plying his trade in the Third Division after all.

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