HARTLEPOOL United's Mark Tinkler is desperate to get tomorrow's midfield battle with Mansfield Town underway.

Mansfield travel to Victoria Park with two of the most promising midfielders in the Third Division raring to go.

Lee Williamson and Craig Disley, both 19-year-olds, will be determined to impress after a good pre-season.

But Tinkler, who himself is a known tough tackler, will not be allowing either of them to settle into the game.

"Mansfield have good passers of the ball," said the 26-year-old. "And they are beginning to create a name for themselves.

"But I do not know that much about either of them, although I'm sure they will be trying to stake a claim for those two places early on.

"But it will be not just about those two lads we will have to be focused on the full team because they have good movement."

Both Williamson and Disley have been attracting interest from clubs in higher leagues, and they starred in summer friendlies against Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

But Stags boss Billy Dearden also has lively wide players Wayne Corden and Liam Lawrence available, so Pool will have to be on their guard.

But Tinkler admits to not being too concerned about the opposition and he is just determined to get the season off to a good start.

Following the departure of Tommy Miller to Ipswich Town, Tinkler and Paul Stephenson will have to get used to a new-look midfield.

Pool boss Chris Turner will play Tommy Widdrington in the centre of the pitch tomorrow, and Tinkler revealed the experienced middle man has settled in well.

"Tommy, along with the rest of the new lads, has fitted in quickly with all of us," said the former Leeds United professional.

"The good pre-season that we have had here has helped all of the new boys to get to know us and have a bit of a laugh as well.

"Now the serious stuff starts and whether it's one of us three, or Darrell Clarke playing, we are looking in good shape."

Meanwhile, a Hartlepool side won 5-1 at West Allotment Celtic last night.

Pool's goals came in the form of a hat-trick from Jermaine Easter and one each from youngsters Mark Batey and Dave Piggott.

Darrell Clarke played 60 minutes of the encounter and Paul Arnison skippered the side, which also included James Sharp, MarkRobinson, Gordon Simms and Adam Boyd.

* Cash strapped Scarboroughhave had to place some of their top-earners on the transfer-list to ease some of their debts.

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