Hartlepool United's new signing Mark Tinkler last night set his sights on a return to the second division with Chris Turner's ambitious outfit.

The 26-year-old former Leeds and York City midfielder, who has signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal, is hoping the move to Victoria Park will fulfil his ambitions.

Tinkler, who has joined from Southend and is set to make his debut in today's third division clash at Scunthorpe United, said: "You have always got to set your sights high and have goals.

"I am no different. I have played at a higher level and want to help Hartlepool do well and reach the second division, which is what they want.

"They have got some good players here and they are ambitious.

"If you work hard then you can achieve it and that's what I will be aiming to do. Things have been a bit of a nightmare over the last week with the move being on and off and me travelling up and down.

"Now that it has been sorted out I am just hoping to get on with the football and play."

Bishop Auckland-born Tinkler, who has a 20-month-old daughter Olivia, also admitted he was pleased to return to his roots.

"I kept my house in Spennymoor and it's nice to be back," he said. "That was important to me."

Today though will be focused on helping Pool to win at Glanford Park, although he admits it won't be easy.

"They're a strong side," he said. "I played against them when I was at Southend earlier in the season and we won 1-0.

"It will be a difficult game, but hopefully I can start with a win."

Striker Craig Midgley is another Pool player who will be bidding to impress today as he comes in from the cold.

The 24-year-old can't remember his last league goal.

He admits it was a "long time ago" - January 16, 1998, in a 2-2 draw at home to Barnet to be exact - but he is hoping that will change.

With first-choice frontmen Kevin Henderson and Anth Lormor out with injury, Midgley is in line for only his third start of the season and he is relishing the chance to prove his worth to boss Turner.

"I want to show what I can do," he said. "It's been disheartening to be on the bench when the lads are out there.

"I am pulling my hair out because I want to be playing.

"It's down to the manager though and I have to accept his decision and just hope I get a chance.

"Now with Hendo and Tony out, I could get my chance and I want to make the most of it.

"I feel if I can get a run in the side then I can be as good as anyone in the team.

"I know it's been a while since I scored in the league, but I would love to change that and get a goal against Scunthorpe."

Midgley is running into good form after an impressive substitute appearance in the 2-1 win over Leyton Orient last weekend and two goals in the reserves' 3-3 draw with Hull City in midweek, and that augurs well for Pool and the player himself.

"I am feeling good," admitted Midgley, whose last goal for the club came in the 2-1 win at Preston in the Auto Windscreens Shield in January.

"It was nice to get on and do well against Orient and then getting two goals for the reserves shows I can score!

"I just haven't had many starts and I have also been playing behind the strikers and not really up front. Now I could play up front and I want to show that I can do well."

Manager Turner admitted Midgley has impressed recently and said: "His performance when he came on as sub helped us beat Orient last week and that was probably the best performance I have seen from him.

"I hope he continues it because that's what I want to see.

"He is in the frame and it is up to him to grasp the opportunity.

"I am looking for him to produce the standards of last week all the time.

"He has looked sharp in training and seems to be up for it.

"Sometimes we have lacked that sharpness, the mobility and the pace which is what Midge can provide.

"It is now down to him to show me what he can do."

Turner knows Midgley and Andy McAvoy will have to work hard against the tough Scunthorpe defence and added: "It's not going to be easy down there because they are a strong side.

"Having come down from the second division they will be looking to get back in as quickly as possible and we have to match them.

"With the weather this week, it will probably be a game where we have to dig in and fight for everything. But hopefully we can come away with something."