MARK Tinkler could get the chance to play his way back into the Hartlepool United first team.

Tinkler has had a tendon injury, but is in line for his third reserve appearance tonight, when Steve Agnew's side meet Darlington.

The midfielder scored in last week's win over Sheffield Wednesday in a 90-minute outing and, with the first team in need of a boost after a stuttering start, Tinkler's return could prove a timely boost for Martin Scott.

The Pool boss is hoping Adam Boyd (knee), Eifion Williams (hamstring) and Thomas Butler (calf) will be fit for the weekend trip to Blackpool after all three hobbled off in last Saturday's defeat to Yeovil.

Scott has reiterated his desire to kick-start his side's season.

Pool have just six points from seven games and Scott admits a bad start - after such a promising summer - was the last thing expected at Victoria Park.

"This was the most organised pre-season this club has had in its history,'' he said.

"Me, Steve Agnew and Paul Stephenson and all the staff involved were very well prepared.

"Watching that on Saturday it looks as if we were not.

"That's not what I am, not what I want from a team, not me as a person and not what I want as a manager. Saturday's performance was unacceptable.

"This start is the last thing everyone expected. Right from day one of pre-season, I told everyone what my aims were.

"But I also said that this is a difficult league and if you don't perform, you will lose.

"If you are not willing to take responsibility as an individual or as a unit you will get beaten.

"And it's the same if you play without confidence and belief and that's what we are doing at the moment."

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