HARTLEPOOL UNITED head to Scotland to continue pre-season preparations today and Craig Hignett has encouraged two trialists to prove they deserve a deal.

Pools head to Scottish League One side Livingston this afternoon and both Scott Harrison and Liam Donnelly will be handed some further match action.

Harrison, whose contract at Hartlepool ended this summer, has been challenged to prove he is fitter.

While Northern Irish defender Connelly is keen to earn a pro deal at Victoria Park after his release from Fulham.

Hignett said: “I’ve not closed the door at all on Scott. We said 'come back in pre-season, get fit and we'll see where you are and see what we can do'.

“We've known about Liam for a bit and had good reports about him. He looked all right when he came on which is good considering he'd only been with us for two days. We need a good look at him and we'll decide where we are after that.”

Pools lost 3-0 at home to Sunderland on Wednesday night when the Black Cats’ first team looked comfortable in the first half, with Jermain Defoe looking the part as he scored twice.

But Pools got stronger as the game went on and were unfortunate not to score in the second half when Sunderland made a full team of changes at the break; Pools also made plenty alterations as the game wore on.

Hignett said: “I think this game will be more suited to us. Livingston have been in longer than us so it will be a real test, it will be competitive.

“But if we knock the ball about like we can and put an end product then we'll be fine. I saw a lot on Wednesday night that I'm pleased about.

"We're just mixing and matching at the moment. There are people who are further down the fitness road than others and there are some who need a few extra minutes on the pitch. We're assessing that all the time.

“Livingston will be similar to the Sunderland game but Tuesday I will send teams to Guisborough and Seaham so almost all should get 90 minutes.”