WHILE Danny Wilson will start contract negotiations this week, and announce the players who won't be playing for him in League One next season, the Hartlepool United boss is quietly confident about the potential of his newest professional.

After Michael Mackay scored 43 times in the Northern League for Consett this season, Wilson gave the 24-year-old a chance in the professional game when he signed him in February.

After giving him his first taste of League football in last weekend's title decider, Mackay smartly put away a Gary Liddle through ball, only for his celebrations to be halted after being ruled offside.

But the 30-minute cameo appearance against Bristol Rovers showed his raw potential and Wilson is hoping to nurture Mackay into a first-team player for next season.

"Michael has got something about him, you could see that with his finish,'' admitted the Pools boss.

"He's raw but there's something to work on and we might come away with a gem.

"His finish was fantastic, the quality in front of goal is there to see.

"Maybe, on the other side of it, is a lack of experience or a bit of naivety, but I hope he gets a good pre-season under his belt.

"He's a fit boy and has taken to things well.''

Wilson added: "We saw goals in him when we looked at him - he is a goalscorer. You saw out there on Saturday he had one chance - maybe two - and took it, so we know what is capable of. Now it's about getting the whole picture."

Mackay is under contract for another 12 months, but a number of his team-mates are due for talks this week with Wilson and director of sport Chris Turner.

And chairman Ken Hodcroft said: "We decided that we wouldn't look at any contracts that needed renewing or renegotiating until we got Saturday out of the way.

"It was crucial that we didn't put a doubt in anyone's mind about staying or going. I'm sure there will be changes, there always are at football clubs.

"I think they are going to start looking at who we want, what we need, who stays, who goes, once we get the player of the year awards out of the way on Tuesday.

"We haven't really spoken about it yet, we've kept it all deliberately in the background.''

He added: "We have a good management team in place and want to keep it that way.

"We've got a fantastic foundation to do well in League One.''

Tonight's player of the year awards, at the Borough Hall, are a sell-out.