PAUL Arnison had been expecting a wind-up call from Stuart Elliott.

And sure enough, the Darlington midfielder was soon on to his Hartlepool United opponent with today's derby the main topic of conversation.

Arnison will this afternoon go head to head against Elliott, a former Newcastle United reserve teammate who also had to leave St James' Park in search of first-team football.

Neither player had a sniff of action on Tyneside under a succession of managers. Elliott's League experience came in the form of a series of loan spells - including one at Hartlepool - while Arnison's League debut arrived only after joining his home-town club towards the end of last season.

This afternoon they go head to head and Arnison joked: "He's told me what he's going to do to me and said he's after my ankles - we'll have to wait and see!

"I was saying on Wednesday morning that I was expecting him to ring, he's a good mate and I can't wait to come up against him.

"He was always out on loan at Newcastle, but we got on well because we were both in a similar situation. I know he likes to shoot from long-range and he has been practising in training this week especially for this game.''

And while the national spotlight will be fixed on the Wembley farewell, Arnison admitted: "The only result that matters for us is Hartlepool's.

"Come 5pm then we will bother about how England have done. Ideally we would have played earlier on Saturday or even on a Friday night, because a lot of people want to watch the England game, but there's nothing we can do about it.

"Derby games mean so much to everyone and it is the game that everyone looks out for from the start. My family and friends will be there - I only hope I can get enough tickets for them all.''

Arnison has spent recent weeks in midfield following Lee Fitzpatrick's enforced absence and while his place is under threat as Fitzpatrick returns to fitness, he admitted: "I've heard we have been trying to sign a couple of players this week, but I don't know who. Fitz is coming back as well and even though we are in the same position it can only be for the good of the club.

"He is a crowd favourite and when he was taken off against Macclesfield there were a few boos from the fans. He's been great going forward and it was a big shock when he was taken to hospital. He's been in great form and scored some good goals as well.

"You need competition in there to keep you on your toes and it will be good to have him back. The more good players we have available the better.

"Steve Baker came in last weekand did a good job in defence. I played against him a few times for Newcastle reserves, so I know what a good player he is. Last week he had only had one training session with us and he did better than me when I was in that role.

"When we went to Norway the gaffer asked me if I was ok playing at the back. Maybe it was down to confidence, but it didn't work out.''

Arnison also has strong competition for his other role on the right side of defence in the shape of Darren Knowles and admitted: "It's the same with Knowlesy, he is the sort who gives 100 per cent every week and will put his foot in where it hurts. He's been a great servant for the club and still is.

"When everyone is fit and available there is strong competition all over the pitch.

"We beat York last week and now we have to keep it going against Darlington. The play-offs were a bit of a disappointment, but now we have to try and get one over on them.

"We've thrown points away in the last few weeks against Macclesfield and Mansfield and we could easily be right up there. It wasn't a great display last Saturday by any means, but it was three points.

"We had gone back to basics in training and that is exactly what we did on the pitch, defending as a unit and picking up men.''

Hartlepool-born Arnison watched last season's October encounter from the stands as Pool won 2-0.

"Tommy Miller got all the headlines for his goals, but Stevo deserved it. Tommy hasn't been scoring as freely as last season, but he still has four goals and is working so hard for the team now that a lot of his work goes unnoticed.'