MICKY Barron's Hartlepool United comeback remains well on track.

The Pool skipper has not kicked a ball in competitive action since going off in the second-half of the play-off final defeat at the Millennium Stadium in May.

After breaking down in the club's first pre-season game, Barron had a knee operation in early August.

He made his return in last week's reserve win at Scunthorpe, but was pulled out of the squad for another game with the Iron.

Manager Martin Scott last night admitted: "He didn't play purely as a precaution. Micky has felt very tired this week and there is no way we want to rush him back. He himself doesn't want that to happen.

"We are going to do it right and bide our time. We've a Durham Challenge Cup tie next Tuesday (against Spennymoor Town) and he could play in that.

"It's been stop, start, stop, start for him for around 18 months now. He's really frustrated about it all, but we have to make certain he is going to come through it all fine.''

Mark Tinkler was withdrawn after an hour of the second string's defeat at Glanford Park on Wednesday as a precaution after taking a kick on the shin, but he will be fit for tomorrow's game at Nottingham Forest.

Matty Robson could be back in three to four weeks as he recovers from an ankle injury and Hugh Robertson (knee) is ready to return to training next week. Striker Joel Porter is pencilled in for a reserve game early next month. He has had two knee operations this season.

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