THE Hartlepool United production line from youth to first-team has dried up in recent years.

But, as he plans a summer overhaul, it's something Mick Wadsworth is keen to address.

Pools' second string meet Hull City at Victoria Park this afternoon, with Micky Barron's side in second spot in the table.

"We're not ready to give the younger players a run just yet and it's been difficult not to get them the games they deserve this season,'' admitted Wadsworth.

"Perhaps we can address that next season and get a smaller senior group and a larger younger group to supplement.

"But there's a few lads I like - Jordan Richards, Josh Rowbotham, Darren Holden, big Callum Hassan, Paul Johnson, young Liam Mooney the keeper who is back after injury and is in great condition.

"I haven't been given a remit to get players into the first team, but I know Ken (Hodcroft) wants that to happen.

"As he says ‘what's the point in having a youth programme just for the sake of it?'.''

And he added: "I know Micky Barron and John Hewitson have worked very hard and we've got some good, young players in the system now.

"There's some coming in in the summer who I've seen and really excite me.

"There's some very good first-year boys and five or six second years who we've got to make a decision on.

"But these players have to have room to grow and that means the opportunity to play in the reserves.''

Wadsworth will again cast an eye over freed Sunderland midfielder Nathan Luscome this afternoon. He's also had a look at Newcastle's Patrick McLaughlin and was impressed with Andy Parry in last week's reserve win over Leeds.

The centre-half from Blackburn is on Wadsworth's radar and he admitted: "Andy was a no-nonsense centre-half - there was no frills, no bells and whistles.

"He attacked the ball, cleared the ball, blocked the ball and blocked runners and I thought he did really well.

"I went to watch him for Blackburn reserves against West Ham and I thought ‘yeah, he looks okay', so we've invited him to train and play with us.

"I would probably like to see him again.

"He was desperate to come up and show what he could do and that's what we need, lads who are really positive and don't have that baggage in terms of thinking they're a Premier League footballer - which they're not.

"They've been at Premier League clubs but haven't played.''

He added: "There's others like James Poole to consider who we've had in earlier in the season.

"He's been injured but he's back and scored last week at Wolves, our scout Peter (Eustace) was there.

"Having such a large squad this year hasn't made it easy.

"I'm not particularly interested in loan players by and large. I like them to be players who may become available, such as Ryan (Donaldson) and James Poole.

"I think Poolie will become available from what I've led to believe.

"But having that second month to look at them is important because we now know what they're like as lads and what their attitudes are like.''