DARRELL Clarke still has a big part to play at Hartlepool United, insists boss Martin Scott.

The midfielder was this week allowed to join Port Vale on loan and, after a year out of the first-team picture because of injury, Scott will welcome Clark back to Victoria Park in a month.

Clarke has appeared for Pool's reserve side this season and, despite a host of injuries among the first-team squad, Clarke has not been deemed fit enough to step up.

Last night he was on the bench for Vale's home game with Oldham.

"He needs games, simple as that,'' said Scott. "He's spent a lot of time this year on the sidelines.

"He's very frustrated and he needs League football. We feel at this moment in time he needs League games and they can give him that at Port Vale.

"It's a month and we will monitor him. He's more chance of playing there at the moment than he has here because of the young lads who are fit and raring to go.

"He's part of my plans and is a big, big part of this club. I've had a good chat with him, this will help him and help us so we get the real Darrell Clarke back fit, ready and raring to go for us.''

Clarke signed a new contract during the summer and Vale boss Martin Foyle said: "We need bodies and he is a good signing. I just hope he can prove his fitness now and goes on and does something for us.

"He has that knack of getting into the box, which is something we've been missing. Darrell can give us that something that might just create a goal out of nothing."

Tuesday's draw with Rotherham put Pool in the bottom four. They face a tough task at Bristol City on Saturday, and Scott admitted: "The big thing for me on Tuesday was that the players showed the right commitment. It was difficult coming on the back of defeat at Chesterfield, but they showed they are together.

"They worked their socks off and keeping a clean sheet was pleasing.

"I totally understand the frustration of the fans - I'm not enjoying the results at the moment - but I am confident we will come through this.''

Eifion Williams could come into contention at the weekend. He has missed four games with a hamstring strain.

Williams played, along with Gavin Strachan, in yesterday's behind-closed-doors friendly at Carlisle, which Pool lost 5-3.

"It's up to them to show me they are ready to come in and plug the gaps,'' said Scott.

Read more about Hartlepool here.