HARTLEPOOL United captain and top scorer Billy Paynter is back in contention for a return this weekend.

Paynter has missed the last five games after suffering a hamstring strain in the defeat at Carlisle on April 5.

It was feared the 15-goal front man would miss the remainder of the season, but, speaking at his press conference this morning, Pools boss Craig Hignett admitted the skipper could be back.

Pools take on a Pompey side who secured a play-off spot with a win at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday. 

Hignett said: “I think we’ve a clean bill of health. Billy has trained, had a hard week, feels alright and will be back in contention.

“Billy coming back is a boost for everyone, he is important to how we play and when we have an off day in the final third he can get hold of the ball, let players join in and get us further up the pitch.

“But the lads have done great – we went to Morecambe without him and scored five, but struggled a bit at Notts County and Oxford in the final third, but it’s good to see for me what we have and what we need.''

Pompey will be without injured keeper Paul Jones and with third-choice Ryan Fulton also sidelined, they will travel to the North-East with only one recognised shot-stopper in Brian Murphy.