WITH two games taking place this evening, Hartlepool United’s squad will be split in two.

Craig Hignett will take a side to Guisborough, as Curtis Fleming is in charge for the game at Seaham.

And, while the Pools boss has the option of adding to his coaching staff, Hignett is happy with his lot.

Fleming, the first-team coach, was appointed along with Hignett in February, but there has always been the possibility of appointing an assistant manager.

While Stuart Parnaby has joined the backroom team as pre/rehabilitation and conditioning coach, Hignett said: “We do a lot of coaching and if we need help then the option is there for me – at the moment I think we are OK.

“Stuart has been great, he did the role for free for a long while and the lads have taken to him.’’

Pools will again give Scott Harrison and Liam Donnelly a chance to impress this evening. The former will play at Seaham, with the latter, freed by Fulham at the end of last season, playing at right back in the side at Guisborough.

Both played at Livingston on Saturday and Hignett said: “I was pleased with Scotty and Liam looks accomplished for a young lad.

“Scotty can do the whole pre-season with us and then we can see where we are with him and Liam has one more week.

“They’ll both get 90 minutes tomorrow and I think it’s important we get a proper look at them.”

Pools will also face Scunthorpe at Victoria Park on Saturday, when Nathan Thomas should be fit. He misses this evening’s games after taking a kick at the weekend.

Pools at Guisborough: Carson, Donnelly, Bates, Nsiala, Carroll, Featherstone, Woods, Hawkins, Alessandra, Paynter, Amond. Subs: Dudzinski, Pollock, Green.

Pools at Seaham Red Star: Bartlett, Magnay, Harrison, Jones, Richards, Walker, Deverdics, Laurent, Smith, Blackford, Oates. Subs: Martin, Nearney, Richardson.