BEN CLARK believes it's not only Hartlepool United's goal output that will be boosted by the return of Joel Porter - the defence will benefit as well.

Eight days ago, Pool's Australian front man kicked his first ball of the season when he appeared as a substitute against Huddersfield.

His last game had been the play-off final with Sheffield Wednesday last May, with his season wrecked by knee trouble.

But it took him just minutes to get on the scoresheet last Friday and he could start against Barnsley this afternoon.

And Clark, who has forged a successful defensive partnership with Micky Nelson in recent weeks, can see the benefits of Boyd renewing his partnership with Adam Boyd.

"He played a big part in our victory against Huddersfield and maybe it's in Paul's mind to start him on Saturday,'' he said. "Obviously it's nice having both him and Boydy back. I think they scored over 40 goals between them last season and it makes a massive difference to the side.

"The game against Doncaster, we missed someone like Joel who will just run into the corner, keep his foot on the ball and run the clock down. He could have been the difference to getting all three points that day.

"It's harder to keep clean sheets when you don't have the outlet of them both but we now have to start doing that again and let the goalscorers carry on scoring and winning the game.''

Porter could start today with Eifion Williams suffering a hamstring strain in midweek.

It would be his first League One start since Boyd grabbed a hat-trick in the 3-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday last April.

Clark added: "The home form has been good and the fans have been excellent at home, as they were at Scunthorpe on Tuesday cheering us on right until the end. Hopefully we'll get another good crowd on Saturday and keep the performance high.''

Pool conceded just before the interval at Glanford Park on Tuesday - the two they let in were the third and fourth they've conceded in six games under Stephenson.

And Clark admits the timing of the first goal proved crucial.

"Their game plan after they scored was to play it long and that didn't really suit us at all. We like to get it down and pass it.

"I think they might have got a rollicking at half-time but they were professional after the break and got the job done in the end.

"At half-time the gaffer just told us to try and keep going and keep our heads up because we dominated the first half. We need to bounce back now.

"We found it difficult against Scunthorpe but when you're on top you need to take your chances. Boydy hit the bar straight after that and had it gone in then the emphasis would have been on us to go on and get the victory.

"Every game from now until the end of the season will be a tough one. We played Huddersfield last Friday and give them a good game.

"Barnsley arrive on Saturday and we'll respect them but they know they'll be expecting a good game.

"We both need the three points, they need them for the play-offs and we need them to stop up. Hopefully we will give a good account of ourselves.''

Striker Jon Daly has moved to Bury on loan until the end of the season. He has not played since the goalless draw at Tranmere in mid-February.

"He was here a few of years ago and he impressed me," boss Chris Casper said. "Hopefully he'll be the catalyst for us to start scoring."

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