HARTLEPOOL United striker Craig Midgley yesterday pressed his claims for a starting berth at Scunthorpe on Saturday with a double-goal salvo.

Midgley bagged a brace in Pool's 3-3 reserve team draw with Hull at Victoria Park and with boss Chris Turner shorn of a trio of strikers for the trip to Glanford Park, the diminutive front-runner looks set for a rare start.

Kevin Henderson and Anth Lormor are both missing with knee injuries and Tim Sperrevik is starting a two-game ban after his dismissal at Brighton a fortnight ago.

After former Bradford striker Midgley impressed as a second-half substitute in last Saturday's win over Leyton Orient, he could be given his third start of the season on Saturday.

"Midge did really well,'' admitted Turner. "He looked sharp and made runs across their defence, which was exactly the same thing he did against Orient.''

Midgley's two starts this season came against Cheltenham and Shrewsbury, when he played behind the strikers, but Turner said: "I played him up front today to give him the chance to get back into playing in a striking role through the middle.

"He scored two goals which will do his confidence good.'' Pool's other goal came from Adam Boyd.

Turner is still hopeful of signing Southend's Mark Tinkler and yesterday continued talks with the midfielder and his agent.