JOEL Porter is being pencilled in for a return to action this week.

Pool's Australian striker, last season's player of the year, has not kicked a ball this season after knee trouble.

He limped off in the play-off final last May and has had two knee operations to correct the problem.

Porter last week joined in training with the first-team squad and is scheduled for a run out in the reserve game at Scarborough on Wednesday.

"We are hopeful he will play,'' said boss Martin Scott, who is also confident that Adam Boyd will be back in first team training in the coming days. "Joel will train with us on Monday and we will see how he goes Monday and Tuesday regarding the reserves.

"Then we will see how he reacts and decide if he can play. He's done a lot of training and he's done well, but we won't rush him. We will not rush back players who have been injured.

"As much as people might think it's backs against the wall - and we know we are scrapping for points - making sure the players are right before they return is right for the players and right for the club long term.

"We know how much both players mean to the club and they are doing everything to return to the pitch.''

Scott added: "Come Wednesday we will make a decision on Joel, if he's not quite right he won't play and he will play the week after.

"That would make him much fitter and ready, we won't rush anything.''

Pool have had a £75,000 bid rejected for Ipswich striker Dean McDonald. Royle hinted Pool could go back with an improved offer this week, but Scott refused to comment on the transfer.

* Llewellyn will miss Pool's next three games after his red card, starting with Saturday's trip to his home city club Swansea.

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