HARTLEPOOL United face an international test this afternoon, when Irish League champions Shelbourne provide friendly opposition.

After a weekend performance labelled "useless" by manager Neale Cooper, when his side lost at Stockport, Pool will include a number of their first-team squad against the tourists.

Pool lost 3-0 to the Champions League qualifiers 12 months ago and they are back in the North-East as part of their preparations for the new season, starting in three weeks.

Jon Daly, Matty Robson and Jim Provett will start for Pool, who sent a youthful reserve side to Walsall yesterday.

Youth team coach Paul Stephenson, in charge in the absence of Martin Scott, was delighted with his side after two David Manson goals earned a 2-2 draw at the Bescot Stadium.

Daly was a second-half substitute at Edgeley Park at the weekend, thrown on as Pool tried unsuccessfully to claw back the single goal deficit.

"We didn't win our battles on Saturday and we didn't fight at all,'' said Cooper. "If you are not in the right frame of mind, you will lose, simple as that.

"We don't normally have that attitude.

"We have the option now of Jon Daly, a big man on the bench and we ended up with him and Micky Nelson up front. He nearly scored soon after going on, but his shot hit the keeper.

"He made a difference and we had a few chances, but it wasn't to be.''

Shelbourne will include former Middlesbrough winger Alan Moore for the game at Billingham Town.

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