MIKE Newell makes his first return to Victoria Park today since he was axed as Hartlepool United manager last year.

After steering Pool out of division three, Newell was replaced by chairman Ken Hodcroft on May 30.

Newell never had a comfortable relationship with the Victoria Park crowd and since leaving has revealed his partnership with Hodcroft failed to take off.

But he was given a swift return to management at Luton during the summer and has made a big impression at Kenilworth Road.

The club has suffered financially all season and Newell has kept his side on the verge of the play-offs.

They are two places and three points behind Pool in tenth spot.

Luton beat Pool at Kenilworth Road in August and Newell watched his former side in action at Port Vale on Tuesday.

However, he left with Pool leading 2-1 before three more goals put the seal on a 5-2 win.

Newell is likely to get a hostile reception this afternoon, but said: "It's not about me going back, it's about Luton Town playing Hartlepool.

"We had a good result against them earlier in the season and if we can get a similar result that's what I'll be looking for.

"There are a lot of nice people up there who I got on well with. But there are some who have a problem with me. "Perhaps it's because we lost the title and a 14-point lead, but that's in the past and there's nothing I can do about it now.

"I did my best and none of the players had a problem with me, but I can't affect how the supporters think of me."

He added: "They had a good win during the week.

"They had a bit of fortune early on when the Port Vale lad was dismissed.

"They looked comfortable but I think we are capable of getting a result.''

Newell's last game in command of Pool was at Rushden on the final day of the season.

Neale Cooper's starting line-up today will feature just five of the players on duty at Nene Park.

Cooper will hand a debut to new signing Hugh Robertson.

The left back, known as Shuggy, has arrived from Ross County and former County boss Cooper signed him from Dundee in 2001.

He said: "I've always liked Hugh as a player and he's been excellent for County this season. I had him watched in the Scottish Cup game against Celtic and the scout thought he was the best player on the park.

"He has signed an 18-month deal and we have an option for a further deal if all goes well. I knew he was out of contract and I'm delighted to have got him.

"The left back position has been a problem for us this season and Hugh will do well there. He can also play wide left or up front, so he gives me a lot of options."

County manager Alex Smith would have lost the player in the summer and admitted: "Hugh has been a smashing player for the club but his contract was up in the summer.

"We have been speaking to him for two months now about an extension, but he had an offer from Neale which will see him double his wages."

In addition to the transfer fee, Cooper has agreed to take his club to the other Victoria Park for a friendly, with the proceeds being kept by the Scottish club.

Striker Adam Boyd has returned to Boston for a third month on loan and a permanent deal is likely to follow.

* Former Pool midfielder Tommy Miller is in line for his international debut after being called into the Scotland squad for next month's friendly with Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

He was named by Berti Vogts for a B international last month, but had to withdraw because of injury.

Miller was born in Shotton, but qualifies for Scotland through his grandmother, who hails from Kirkaldy. The SFA requested copies of the family birth certificates earlier this season.

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