ELEVEN days after their last game Paul Stephenson is confident Hartlepool United are about to see the real Adam Boyd.

Last season's leading scorer has spent more time on the sidelines this season than on the pitch.

But he's started the last two games under acting boss Stephenson and will start tomorrow's game at Victoria Park against Doncaster.

In their last outing, Boyd and Pool couldn't find a way past Tranmere and they are the lowest scorers in League One.

Boyd netted 29 goals last season and Stephenson feels the recent run-outs will have done him the world of good.

"Boydy has started the last two games and we all know he's still not match fit. But we hope those games will have done him good,'' said Stephenson, now in command until the end of the season.

"He's still going to take a while to get back to his best, but he has started to open a few doors for us, you could see that at Tranmere with some of his trickery.

"Maybe he wasn't quite ready to step through the doors himself, like he will when fully fit, but he's more than capable of opening things up for others and it's up to others to take advantage.''

Boyd's main partner in crime last season, Joel Porter, hasn't kicked a ball all season after knee problems.

Any chance of a return was ended when the reserve game with Sheffield United was postponed on Wednesday.

"Joel and Hugh Robertson were pencilled in for a game in midweek,'' said Stephenson. "It was a blow, it would have been great for them to get their fitness levels up.

"It would have given me a few more headaches over selection, but at the moment we've got to be realistic.

"These lads have been out long term and it's going to take time for them to get their fitness up to first-team levels, especially in the situation we are in when we can't throw players in.''

Stephenson takes charge for the fourth time tomorrow.

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