ANTONY Sweeney yesterday extended his stay at Hartlepool United, whether the manager does remains to be seen.

Sweeney has bagged 12 goals from midfield this season and, after signing a one-year deal last summer, has now signed a longer-term contract at Victoria Park.

How long Neale Cooper is around is open to question, with the Pool boss considering his future as he ponders a return to Scotland.

Sweeney has now followed Mark Tinkler and Micky Barron in signing new deals at Pool.

He is one of a number of players out of contract this summer and it is believed Ritchie Humphreys and Chris Westwood are unlikely to sign new deals.

Humphreys is attracting interest from Stockport and Luton - both clubs managed by his former bosses at Victoria Park, Chris Turner and Mike Newell.

Westwood could return to the midlands after six years in the North-East.

Earlier this week Joel Porter revealed he would reject the chance of a return to Australia in favour of a new contract at Pool and he could be next in line for new terms.

Micky Nelson's contract situation remains unresolved. He requested a transfer towards the end of last year, but the club has refused to allow him to leave.

His current deal lasts until 2006 and Pool have made an offer to the central defender, although new conditions have yet to be agreed.

Pool's reserve side lost 2-1 at Stoke City yesterday. Steven Istead netted Pool's goal and defender Steve Howey hit the woodwork with a header from Gavin Strachan's free-kick. Eifion Williams played the second half after missing Easter Monday's draw at Blackpool through injury, but suffered another knock.

Pool: Konstantopoulos, Barron, Low, Fox, Wilkinson, Howey, Istead, Strachan, Daly, Appleby(Turnbull 83), Butler (Williams 45). Subs: Jones, Foley, Winter.

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