James nabs three as Baldwin returns to action

The pair impressed during a 4-0 reserve win over Rotherham and could face MK Dons at Victoria Park on Good Friday.

James, named the League One apprentice of the year at the weekend's annual Football League Awards, netted a nine-minute first-half hat-trick.

Baldwin, out for three weeks with a knee injury which threatened to end his season, came through an impressive 45 minutes unscathed.

The midfielder made his first block tackle in the opening minutes and coasted through the opening half before being taken off with tomorrow in mind.

"It's a massive turnaround for Jack,'' admitted watching boss John Hughes. "As a young guy it's possibly his first injury in football.

"His powers of recovery have been brilliant, he probably doesn't know any other.

"I think we've missed him and that's been evident. If there are no effects then he'll come into our thinking.''

James scored his first after being set up by on-trial centre-half Jideofo Maduako on the edge of the area.

His second came thanks to two other trialists. Middlesbrough midfielder Curtis Edwards played in right-back Joe Clemo and his low cross was turned in.

James' third was the pick. Greg Rutherford headed on and the teenager curled his finish high and around the Rotherham goalkeeper.

Rutherford headed in the fourth in the second period.

Clemo and Tommy Fletcher both play for Cheshunt in the Ryman League, while Maduako is on Leicester's books.

"I don't know too much about them and we let our scout down south get on with it,'' said Hughes.

"Ray Parker, the guy who brought Jack Baldwin to us, works very hard down there.

"If he sees anyone who he thinks could do us a turn then we're happy to get them in and have a look.

"The ball is in their court and we'll see how they do.

"Curtis was just finding his way on the first day with us from Middlesbrough but then he trained indoors with us and was absolutely outstanding.

"You could see he was a clever footballer.''

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