FRUSTRATED Paul Stephenson has been told by manager Chris Turner to keep up the hard work and be patient if he is to win back his place in Hartlepool's first team.

The 34-year-old midfielder, who has just recovered from surgery on his knee, has been told he will again have to settle for a place on the bench when Shrewsbury visit Victoria Park on Saturday.

Stephenson has found first-team opportunities limited due to the outstanding form of Mark Tinkler and Tommy Widdrington, and speaking on the club's official website yesterday, Turner said: "The midfield four are all playing well at the moment so Paul has got to bide his time.

"But having a player of his experience on the bench is a huge boost for us.

"Paul has had less than half an hour in the reserves and really needs more games under his belt.

"But due to the weather and call-offs, we haven't been able to give him that in the reserves so he will have to be patient and keep working hard until his chance comes."

l Gary Caldwell is backing his former Darlington teammates to cause a mini-upset in the FA Cup third round on Tuesday and secure a tie against his club, Newcastle United.

The Stirling-born centre-half spent a month on loan at Feethams before returning to St James' Park in December and saw enough of Quakers during his temporary transfer to believe Tommy Taylor's side are capable of beating Second Division Peterborough next week to set-up one of the ties of the round.

"I think Darlington will beat Peterborough now, as the incentive is there to reach the next round because they will face Newcastle," said Caldwell, who since returning to Newcastle has had an abscess removed from his back.

"Now they've got the chance of a big game and if they do get through it would be nice if the game could go ahead at Feethams."

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