KEVIN Henderson staked his claim for a first-team recall yesterday with a hat-trick in Hartlepool reserves' 5-0 win at Chesterfield.

Henderson netted three and Anth Lormor and trialist Paul Smith were also on target as Colin West's side made it five wins in five outings.

Pool make the trip to leaders Plymouth on Saturday and Henderson's triple strike could see him back in the starting line-up for Adam Boyd.

Henderson has only one first-team goal to his name this season, stark contrast to the 17 he bagged last season.

After serving a three-game suspension following his sending-off against York on October 13, Henderson was back for last week's win at Macclesfield - but was replaced by Boyd, who later netted the winner.

West said: "With better finishing we could have had six in the first half, Hendo should have had two or three more himself.

"It was an excellent team performance, I can't fault any of the lads. They were actually disappointed they didn't win by more! ''

Smith, on trial after being freed by Burnley, opened the scoring, before Henderson hit a first-half treble.

Chris Westwood and Darrell Clarke completed 90 minutes as they return from injury and they could be involved at Home Park as defender Graeme Lee is struggling to overcome an ankle injury and midfielder Tommy Widdrington is suspended.

l Michael Owen soaked up Champions League glory on Tuesday night and claimed that Europe is beginning to fear Liverpool again.

Owen and his Anfield colleagues produced a display of character and sheer will to win that took them past 1997 European champions Borussia Dortmund and into the last 16 of the tournament at their first attempt.

''We've wanted this for a few years now. We won the UEFA Cup last season and really fancied this crack at the Champions League. You can all see how well it's going,'' Owen said