MICKY Nelson could be in unfamiliar company this afternoon.

Hartlepool United go to Barnsley without suspended right back and skipper Micky Barron.

And with new signings Hugh Robertson and Scott Walker likely to start at Oakwell, Nelson's only regular defensive partner in the back four will be Chris Westwood.

Moving Westwood to replace Barron, with Nelson and Walker starting in the middle, is one of Neale Cooper's options.

Pool lost to Barnsley at Victoria Park on Boxing Day, but their form since - especially away from home - has been first-class.

Last time out they trounced Port Vale 5-2 and have also won at Oldham and drawn at Tranmere.

Nelson, who has yet to miss a game since his summer move from Bury, admitted: "We went to QPR and it was tough, but then got a great result at Oldham over Christmas, did well at Tranmere then look what happened at Port Vale.

"Our defending has been much better away from home recently. The gaffer said we have been defending a lot higher up the pitch and that's a factor, but there's a lot of reasons.

"We have enjoyed a good run at home and now we are starting to take it into our away games as well.

"Maybe we weren't so confident going away from home, but that's not the case now.

"Teams are giving us a bit more respect. We started the season well and maybe teams thought we wouldn't stay there long, but we have. We've been a top ten team all season.''

Westwood, named in last year's PFA team of the season, has missed only two games through suspension since moving to Pool in 1999.

Westwood was a regular alongside Graeme Lee for four seasons before Lee headed for Sheffield Wednesday.

But his partnership with Nelson hit it off from the start and Nelson admitted: "Ever since the first game I played in Holland pre-season I've enjoyed playing with Westy. He's a good player to be alongside.

"He is a consistent player and we have done well together. When you set your stall out in defence it gives you a solid platform to build from.''

Pool's game with Luton was washed out last week. Their last game was at Vale Park and Nelson admitted: "Playing in the snow at Port Vale was a bit different - you couldn't see much towards the end. It was a bit of a one-off.

"We didn't start that game very well and scored a bit against the run of play. We let them back into it, but the sending-off changed things.

"I thought Robbo did well last time out up front - he had an edge about him again.

"With him and Eifion up front they can chase defenders around and close them down quite quickly. As a centre-half there is nothing worse than that happening to you. It can be a real nuisance."

Nelson, formerly with Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor, added: "Gav (Strachan) put a couple of great corners in and they were there to be attacked. As a centre-half, I should be getting more goals.

"I go up for most corners and I went close against Bristol City as well - it's starting to come right.

"It's nice to score from set-pieces and it's something we have done quite regularly this season.

"We lost to Bristol City when we probably should have got a draw and we have proved we can match anyone in this division.

"Port Vale have a good home record and we are in a tough little run of games right now.

"We went to Tranmere, who have been doing well and picking up points, Port Vale who have done well and now we have Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday.''

Tykes' boss Gudjon Thordarson admitted: "Hartlepool are a good side and we won a very hard and competitive game up there in December.

"Hartlepool have done ever so well. I expect a very tough game.''

Former Pool striker Marco Gabbiadini will meet up with his fomer teammates this afternoon. The recently retired forward will be commentating on the game for Pool's official web site.

* Jermaine Easter will start up front for Cambridge today after a week's trial ended with him moving to the Abbey Stadium on loan yesterday. Easter recently had a spell at Spennymoor.

Boss John Taylor said: "He's a different sort of player to what we have at the club. He's quick and quite direct. He needs a break in the League and hopefully he can come and do well for us."