GORDON Watson is itching to get back in action - but he won't be facing Oxford at Victoria Park today.

The Hartlepool United talisman has recovered from a broken leg and after four months on the sidelines is edging ever closer to a first-team return.

Boss Mike Newell insists he won't be rushing the striker back too soon, but knows the benefits Watson's return could bring.

In his absence since September 14, Pool have stayed in top spot in Division Three as Marcus Richardson, Adam Boyd and - briefly - Kevin Henderson have joined forces with top-scorer Efion Williams in the forward line.

Watson, who netted five goals in eight games before picking up his injury against Darlington, including the winner at the Kassam Stadium in August, enjoyed a successful 90-minute return to action as Pool's second string visited Blackburn on Thursday.

But Newell, whose side have won their last three games, said: "Gordon is the sort of player who wants to be back yesterday and will be telling everyone he is OK. It's great to have someone so keen and willing to come back.

"But he's not going to be back before he is 100 per cent and he still needs games before he is ready for the first team. We are going to get it right with him and make sure he is spot on.

"I've heard a lot about him since I came here and he has played at the top. I didn't know him before I came here, our paths hadn't crossed."

Pool will also be without Graeme Lee. The ever-present central defender is out after collecting five bookings this season.

Jon Bass is likely to come in and Newell said: "Spike (Lee) and Chris Westwood have been very solid at the back for us, but Jon did well against Carlisle last time he played and he didn't let anyone down.

"He is always willing and wants to play. He's a good professional and he isn't happy when he isn't playing. He was disappointed when he was left out at Boston and it was a very hard decision to make to being Micky Barron back.''

Pool have not played since the Boston game a fortnight ago, when Darrell Clarke's second goal of the season earned the points.

Last week's game at Macclesfield fell victim to a frozen pitch and while Rushden narrowed the gap at the top to two points, Newell - who watched Oxford draw with Darlington in midweek - is unconcerned. "Of course it's disappointing when you prepare for a game all week and it is called off. We had won three games in a row so we just wanted to keep playing.

"But we haven't had too much disruption or too many games off, we are not behind anyone or catching up on games. Oxford have a few to play, but we are fortunate.

"The weather can cause problems with training, but everyone is in the same boat. The reserves haven't played much of late and that's why we had the game at Blackburn.

"We need players to be fit and ready to step in when called on. Everyone trained this morning and they are all bubbly and desperate to play.''

Pool go to Macclesfield on Tuesday before travelling to Cambridge next Saturday, and Newell added: "This is an important time for us. Oxford and Cambridge are two of our main rivals at the top - they are chasing us and it's important we don't give anything away.''

* Pool's 1991 promotion team are being reunited on Wednesday to mark the tenth anniversary of the Corner Flag, the supporters association HQ at Victoria Park.

Tickets, priced at £2.50, are available today. Joe Allon, Brian Honour, Steve Tupling and John MacPhail are among the players attending.

* Pool have announced a new sponsorship deal with Samsung and Northern Electric Retail. The two-year deal will see the brand logos of both companies emblazoned on training kit, while a 20-foot advertising hoarding will adorn the Expamet Town End.

* Former Pool and Newcastle striker Anth Lormor has retired. He suffered an Achillies injury playing for Telford after moving there in the summer and now aims to reach the top as a referee.

"I've just come under added pressure in my job as a salesman over the last couple of months,'' he said. "I think the time is right to concentrate on that and my refereeing. My aim is to reach the Premiership but I am aware I need to ref more Saturday games if I am going to achieve that."

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