NEALE Cooper is concerned about the affect of the early season is having on his players.

While the older professionals in the Hartlepool United squad have been praised for their fitness levels by the boss, some of the younger ones are coming under scrutiny.

Pools lost Peter Hartley to cramp in Saturday's loss to Carlisle - and while he was laid out on the Victoria Park turf, they also had Neil Austin sent-off in a quick counter attack from the visitors.

Seven days earlier, Jonathan Franks was forced off with cramp in the win over Scunthorpe and, while both games have been played out in comfortable conditions, Cooper is looking into why they are suffering.

"There's an issue right now of a few of the boys really tiring,'' he said. "We need to have a look to see what's happening here, they are only young.

"There was Jonny (Franks) last week and I thought he tired again.

"Peter had severe cramp, James Poole had it.

"I'll have to ask the physios and the keep fit lads 'the way we train why should this happen?'.

"They are young boys and too many are getting it. It's a wee issue and we need to try to get to the bottom of it.''

He added: "It's hard to criticise because they played so well against Carlisle for 70-odd minutes, a lot of the stuff was really good

"There was some great passing and movement but in the chaos of a few minutes everything changes.''

Micky Barron's reserve team lost 2-1 at Oldham yesterday, with Ritchie Humphreys scoring. Pools fielded Joe Tait at centre-half. The defender has been on trial with Pools, but played for Northern League Darlington 1883 at the weekend and is lined up to face Newton Aycliffe tonight.

Pools: McHugh, Richards, Tait, Johnson, Holden, Rowbotham (Hedley), Walton, Humphreys, Luscombe, James, Rutherford