NEALE Cooper hasn't given up hope of boosting his squad ahead of the new season.

Hartlepool meet Bradford City at Victoria Park on Saturday in the League One opener, with only one new face in their ranks.

Jack Ross is in line to start at right-back in place of Micky Barron, after the skipper had a second hernia operation of the summer yesterday.

Barron is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines, which will give Ross, a Bosman free signing from Clyde, an early chance to impress.

But Cooper remains hopeful of having at least one other new face on display.

He admitted: "Everything builds up to Saturday now and everyone here is looking forward to it.

"We have had a good pre-season with this squad, although I still think we could add a couple of players, but they have to be the right players and players we can afford.

"We are always looking and let's see what comes this week.

"We know a new face or two could give everyone a wee lift before the season starts, but some players are on more money than we pay out.

"We have a wage structure here and everyone is roughly on the same level. There is no one player way, way above the others and to do that would cause a little trouble in the dressing room.''

Cooper signed Gavin Strachan the day before last season's first game at Peterborough and he soon became a mainstay in the Pool midfield.

He added: "The good thing about this club and this squad is that we don't have to go out and revamp the squad. Players are in place and they have been for a number of seasons now.

"But no-one is denying that a player with a bit extra quality could make a difference and give us that little more.''

The Pool boss was yesterday linked with a move for Barnsley striker Kevin Betsy.

He scored twice at Victoria Park last season as the Tykes ended Pool's 28-game unbeaten home run. But he has not been given a squad number for the new season by new boss Paul Hart and is available on a free transfer.

l Bradford goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts may be forced out of Saturday's opener because of red tape.

The Bantams have received a work permit for the Jamaican, but a spokesman said: "We got the work permit last Friday.

"But that has now got to be tied up with a stamp in his passport, which could take a week or more to obtain."

l A Pool reserve side lost 3-1 at Whitby Town last night. Whitby took the lead through Liam Gildea, but Pool levelled after the break when Andy Appleby's cross was turned into his own goal by Scott Nicholson. Ex-Darlington striker Danny Mellanby made it 2-1 to the hosts and Steve Johnson scored the third.

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