A RETURN to Hillsborough has never been on the cards for Ritchie Humphreys.

Once a Sheffield Wednesday starlet, his last appearance at the ground where he burst so spectacularly on the scene came in November 2000 when he was replaced at half-time as Wednesday beat city rivals United in the League Cup.

His days were numbered then; but a different Humphreys goes back there tonight with Hartlepool United.

The 25-year-old has been reborn at Victoria Park, enjoying regular football, regular goals and winning a clutch of awards as Pool earned promotion last season to the extent he last week launched a book charting his happy memories of the last year.

He is not one to think what might have been, or harbour regrets, and going back to the ground where he blazed onto the scene in 1995 has never been a priority.

"I've never played there against a Sheffield Wednesday team and I've not really been back there since I left,'' he said.

"But for me, it's my old club. I spent a lot of time there.

"I grew up there. I was there as a schoolboy, YT, young pro and first teamer. Going back will be nice for me, but it's got the added spice of everyone else being involved now.''

Graeme Lee and Brian Barry-Murphy will be in the home line-up; Paul Smith is likely to be on the bench, with Chris Turner and Colin West directing operations from the dug-out.

And Humphreys believes that tonight is a night to savour.

"It's against our old manager, assistant manager and some of our old players - but it's still a game of football and we should all go there and enjoy it,'' he said.

"It's a magnificent stadium, a massive club and I'm sure the fans will go down and enjoy the atmosphere of a big stadium.

"It's their first home game as well, they won on Saturday and I'm sure they will sell quite a few tickets.''

Lee spent eight years at Victoria Park before leaving this summer on a free to link up with his former boss. Humphreys and Lee were among four players named in last season's Division Three team of the year and the Pool favourite added: "I've spoken to Spike on a few occasions since he left. I met up with him in Sheffield during pre-season and not much was said about the game really.

"There was the old friendly banter which is natural, but I just hope I'm not picking him up at corners!

"Hillsborough is a fantastic arena, which takes your breath away. All the corners are filled in, the atmosphere there can be tremendous.

"You can see why the likes of Spike and the old gaffer wanted to go there - it's such a big club."

Pool's only other visit to Hillsborough was in the League Cup in 1992, when they lost 3-0. Gordon Watson was on the scoresheet for Wednesday.

"I was a schoolboy there the last time Hartlepool were there. I was sat in the stand that night,'' he recalled.

"All the family will be there this time, all my mates will be there and in the away end. The interest will be there and I'm sure we will have great support.

"It's a big old pitch, both teams like to play football, so we can't wait.''

And Humphreys isn't the only one making a Hillsborough return tonight.

Gavin Strachan, who netted a spectacular free-kick on Saturday on his debut, spent pre-season on trial with Turner. He played for Wednesday against Pool in a friendly on July 26, but was not offered a deal.

He turned out for Pool against Newcastle the following week, impressed on trial, and signed a contract at Victoria Park last Friday.

But he insists he has nothing to prove tonight. "I'm not really one for looking back, I prefer to look forward," he said.

"I spent some time there but it didn't work out and that's that for me.

"Now I'm grateful that Hartlepool gave me the chance to show what I can do and hopefully I showed some idea of what I can do against Peterborough.

"The lads here are a great bunch and the spirit is tremendous.

"It was a great comeback on Saturday and that showed the spirit we have. Now we just have to keep that going, starting on Wednesday."

Mark Tinkler is likely to be included in tonight's squad after recovering from an ankle injury, but Wednesday could still be without ex-Middlesbrough midfielder Robbie Mustoe (hamstring).

l Pool's feat on Saturday of four players scoring on their league debuts is believed to be a Football League record. Strachan, Paul Robinson, Matty Robson and Micky Nelson all netted on their first start and respected football statistician Leigh Edwards said: "I defy anyone to claim that this is not a record. It is unique. There has been occasions of three players managing it, but never four.''