SKIPPER Micky Barron's conversion from central defender to right back was all but confirmed last night.

After being moved out to full back in the last year, thanks in Hartlepool United reverting to a 4-4-2 line-up and the impeccible form of Graeme Lee and Chris Westwood in the middle, Barron's role at Victoria Park has changed.

And even though Lee has departed, the announcement of the squad numbers for next season sees Barron take the No 2 shirt - the traditional right back number.

His old No 4 shirt is now worn by Mark Tinkler and Lee's No 5 is now worn by new boy Micky Nelson. Fellow recruit Marco Gabbiadini has, as expected, replaced Gordon Watson in the No 10 top.

Gabbiadini and Nelson joined their new teammates yesterday as the squad departed for Holland and a five-day stint at the Dutch FA (KNVB) training camp near Arnhem. Their first action of the summer - and under new boss Neale Cooper - takes place tomorrow night when they meet Top Oss and on Friday afternoon they meet former Champions League qualifiers Heerenveen.

Trialists Tommy Widdrington, Richard Hope and Paul Robinson have not joined the squad on tour. Hope, however, has impressed Cooper while training with the club on Thursday and Friday last week and could be back with the club after they return from the Netherlands.

Hope, who turned down a move to Darlington last week after training with Quakers, said: "Things went well while I was on trial and I would like to think we will come to an agreement. It is a good set up and I was impressed with the manager.''

The trip gives Cooper the chance to see his squad in action for the first time and he is likely to make further moves in the transfer market when he returns.

* The future Mike Newell at Luton looks shaky after John Gurney, the man who appointed the former Pool boss yesterday lost control of the club when it was placed into administration. The club is now in the hands of the receivers and fans are now likely to rally round to secure its future.

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