STRIKER Eifion Williams yesterday put pen to paper on a new contract at Hartlepool United.

Williams is in a rich vein of form, netting six times in his last nine games, including one in last week's 2-2 draw at Barnsley.

Pool are back in South Yorkshire today, when they go to Sheffield Wednesday and boss Neale Cooper said: "We've been working on this one for a while now. He's a hard worker and a good finisher.''

While Williams looks for more goals this afternoon, his former teammate Graeme Lee won't be there to stop him.

The ex-Pool defender, who moved to Hillsborough during the summer, is sidelined after suffering stress fractures in both shins.

He admitted: "I'm gutted to miss this one. It's hard enough being out injured, never mind missing the game against my old team.

"Hopefully I can start training on Monday. It's been a bad time for us as a club because of all the injuries we have had at once.

"I had been struggling with my stomach, I needed a double hernia operation but played on.

"Then because I needed that, the rest of my body compensated for it and I suffered stress fractures in both shins.

"Half the squad has been out injured. We seem to get someone back then someone else drops out - we've never been able to play the same team three games in a row.

"Last week we lost two players who weren't even ours - they were on loan and both damaged knee ligaments in the same game. They are out for the season and have gone back to their clubs.

"Week in, week out, it's never been the same starting XI. You can manage if it's one change to the team, but not when it's five or six all the time.''

Lee, who was last season crowned The Northern Echo player of the year, has made an impressive start to his new career under former boss Chris Turner and added: "I've won two player of the month awards here, which has been really nice. I've enjoyed my football here and it's good that the fans have recognised it.

"When you move to a new club, it's a bit strange because you wonder how the supporters will take to you, but I've had no problems.

"Expectations here are a lot higher than at other clubs. When teams come to us it's their cup final, because Hillsborough is the type of ground which can take your breath away.

"Everyone comes here and raises their game - it's happened all the time - and our home record has been disappointing.''

While Lee's performances have been as consistent as last season's, the same cannot be said of his team.

Pool roared to promotion last season, Wednesday are slumbering in the lower echelons of the table this time.

Lee admitted: "It's totally different to last season. Then we were top of the league and looking good for promotion. We were going into games just expecting to win and it wasn't a case of if we were going to win - it was by how many.

"We were a team full of confidence and it seems like they are carrying on playing that way.''

This is the third meeting between the teams this season. Lee's first home game at Hillsborough was the Carling Cup tie between the teams.

He got off to a dream start, opening the scoring with a header, before Pool won on penalties after a 2-2 extra time draw.

There was another draw at Victoria Park in Division Two, in October, Wednesday again failing to hold on as Marco Gabbiadini headed a late leveller.

Lee said: "It's so disappointing for me to miss this one. I've played them twice already this season and it has been strange.

"I played all my career there before coming here. My first game for Wednesday was against them and it was weird running out against them and lining up with all my mates warming up on the other side of the pitch.

"I scored as well, which was a great feeling, but we ended up losing.

"It was a great game when we played back at Hartlepool, but we conceded a late goal, which cost us. I don't think I had ever even been in the away dressing room at Victoria Park before that night!''

He added: "I'm not surprised to see them doing so well this season. I know the boys there and know what they can do.

"They are good players and are a very well-organised side. There's been a bit of a changeover in players since I left. I watched the Burton game on TV and there were a few new faces who I didn't know, but they still have a few who are regulars and have been for a few seasons.

"I still keep in touch with them - I spoke to Chris Westwood last week - and I'm sure there'll be plenty of stuff going on before the game.

"I've got two reunions going on this Saturday. My old junior team Marton Boys are playing some of our teams at the training ground as well."

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