IAN Butterworth was absent from the Hartlepool United party on duty at Brighton, with the assistant manager expected to be confirmed as first team coach at Norwich City.

The former Canaries defender has been targeted by new Carrow Road boss Bryan Gunn and last weekend held talks with the club and was in talks with the Championship side this afternoon after watching their 1-1 with Doncaster last night.

He was on the bench for Pools in Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Carlisle at Victoria Park – but that looks like being his final game with the club, where he moved to in 2006. He didn't make the trip south on the Pools team coach on Friday.

Youth team coach Micky Barron took over Butterworth's duties at the Withdean Stadium. Terry Mitchell, the club's director of youth, took charge of the youth team's 1-0 loss to Darlington at Chester-le-Street this morning.

Chris Turner made one change to the team, handing an instant debut to loan signing Daniel Nardiello in place of Liam Henderson who dropped to the bench.

BRIGHTON: Sullivan; Hinshelwood, E-Abd, cox, Jarrett, Forster, Birchall, Livermore, Virgo, Elphick, Andrew. Subs: Kuipers, McLeod, Hawikins, Loft, Carole.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Lee-Barrett; Sweeney, Clark, Nelson, Humphreys; Monkhouse, Jones, Liddle, Robson; Nardiello, Porter. Subs: Budtz, McCunnie, Collins, Mackay, Henderson.

Referee: Dean Whitestone (Northampton)