THE future of Nobby Solano at Hartlepool United appears to be coming to a head, after the midfielder went awol this week.

He was due to play for Pools' reserve side on Wednesday night, but failed to turn up to meet the team bus for their trip to Hull City.

The ex-Newcastle midfielder wasn't on the club's Maiden Castle training ground with the first-team squad yesterday.

Boss Neale Cooper said: "Nobby didn't turn up (on Wednesday), I cannot really comment at the moment. He was meant to be there, but never appeared. We will see what happens after that.''

However, Solano is believed to have been out in Newcastle with Jimmy Bullard - his one-time Hull City team-mate - when Pools were playing at Hull.

A number of Twitter users claim the pair were spotted in the pubs and clubs of Tyneside.

He has not played under Cooper since January 2 and last month, Solano was announced by Northern League club Benfield Saints as their coach.

Pools retain his playing registration and he recently returned to training with Pools.

His last start was on November 29, when Pools lost to Preston in what proved Mick Wadsworth's final game in charge.

One player Cooper hasn't seen in action yet could be in the squad for tomorrow's game with MK Dons.

James Poole has been injured since the win at Oldham on Boxing Day, but is now over the hamstring strain he suffered.

The striker played an hour for the reserves on Wednesday and is likely to be on the bench tomorrow.

"James Poole is back, it feels like I've won the lottery,'' quipped Cooper. "Everyone - press, players, staff at the club have told me all about him and I've watched DVDs. I went to Hull to watch him play and he came through it OK.

"It's like a new signing for me, I've not been able to use him and I'm delighted for him. He looks a really exciting player to have available.

"I'll think about his role, it's a lot to ask as he has been out so long. But injured players now work hard on their fitness when they are injured.

"He is one to consider for the weekend.''

Midfielder Gary Liddle has missed the last two games after taking a clattering in the win over Notts County two weeks ago.

He has a badly bruised calf and Cooper said: "He is improving by the day but it's worse than we thought. He is still feeling pain in his leg, it's a concern as he's a hardy boy and is a doubt again.

"We miss him I think, no doubt but we get on. The boys who came in did well on Tuesday and we look at Luke James again. He has hurt his back and felt it after Wycombe.

"It wasn't even worth him sitting on the bus going to Bury on Tuesday. We protect him as a young boy and taking a chance could make it worse.''