HOME-GROWN striker Adam Boyd today gets his chance to stake a claim for a Hartlepool United striking role.

Pool entertain Kidderminster at Victoria Park again without three strikers in seven-goal Kevin Henderson, four-goal Anth Lormor and the suspended Tim Sperrevik.

And after Andy McAvoy failed to hit it off with Craig Midgley in last week's 3-0 defeat at Scunthorpe, former Manor School pupil Boyd gets a rare start.

The pair have both made big impressions as substitutes - Boyd last season, Midgley two weeks ago - and Turner is now looking for the pair to make an impact from the start.

Boyd, who last year signed a three-year contract to keep him at Vctoria Park, made a massive impact on his third outing for the club last season. After coming on as a substitute against Shrewsbury on February 5, he robbed visiting keeper Paul Edwards and rolled the ball into the net to clinch the game for Pool in injury time.

And Boyd was hailed as a star of the future as he attracted interest from a pack of clubs on the back of a string of impressive displays for the youth team.

Since then, however, the 18-year-old has suffered from injuries and last week's second-half substitute outing was his first of the current campaign. Boss Chris Turner admitted: "This is a great chance for him in front of his own fans. We would love nothing more than to see him do well.

"He made a great start to his career last season against Shrewsbury, but since then he has suffered a few niggling injuries.

"We haven't wanted to throw him straight in and have kept him back a little bit and tried to nurture him along. But he deserves a chance and as he is a local lad we want the fans to get behind him and encourage him.

"He has come on physically and has a good touch. There has been a lot of interest in him and we want to keep him here.''

Midgley is still awaiting his first League goal since January last year and Turner admitted: "Craig came on as a substitute against Orient and did very well.

"Last week he worked hard, but to be fair to him, he didn't get the service he deserved and we were always chasing the game.

"I cannot praise him enough for his attitude and finishing in training. He is 100 per cent spot on. From Monday to Friday, he is one of the best finishers and trainers at the club.

"We went him to do well because he deserves it but he has to transfer that form from the training ground to the pitch on a Saturday.''

Turner's hand has been boosted with the inclusion of skipper Micky Barron in the squad for the first time this season.

He has been dogged by knee trouble since pre-season but an operation has cured the problem and he will be on the bench this afternoon.

"Micky deserves to be back in the squad and it will be good for him and for everyone else to see him back.

He has had a few days training this week with the physio on the beach and while he has been out has set a great example to everyone. We have certainly missed him, but Steve Baker has come in on loan and done a great job.

"He has been an ideal replacement in the middle of the defence The only problem is that Steve is not our player - he is Middlesbrough's.''

l H'Angus the Monkey will continue at Victoria Park this afternoon, despite being thrown out of Scunthorpe at half-time last Saturday after the mascot allegedly embarrassed a match-day hostess.

l Pool will check the Victoria Park surface this morning to determine if the game will go ahead. It was playable yesterday, but the go-ahead hinges on the amount of rain overnight. The decision will be posted on the club website - www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk - from 9am