Rejuvenated Scarborough look set to field the same side that earned the 1-0 victory over Rochdale in midweek for tomorrow's visit of Hartlepool.

The win - the Seasiders' first in ten games - lifted Boro two places up division three to 21st place.

Another three point haul tomorrow could see Mick Wadsworth's charges chartering unfamiliar waters of mid-table respectability.

But central defender Alex Marinkov, Boro's player of the season so far, seems certain to miss the clash.

The Frenchman sat out the Rochdale game with an injured foot and has since undergone treatment and an injection.

But Wadsworth has admitted his defensive linchpin has only an outside chance of making tomorrow's game.

The blow of losing Marinkov has been softened by the performance of his replacement on Tuesday, teenage centre back Michael McNaughton.

The 18-year-old looks certain to keep his place, as does Tuesday night's goalscoring midfielder Matthew Russell.

Liam Robinson, who was relegated to the substitutes' bench at Spotland after being troubled with a groin strain, did not train yesterday but is likely to be in contention.

Meanwhile, Wadsworth revealed he has held talks with wantaway striker Gareth Williams with a view to keeping him at the McCain Stadium. Williams, Boro's top scorer last season, was placed on the transfer list by mutual consent this week after revealing he was having trouble commuting from his Derbyshire home.

"I have spoken to him and we would like to keep him here," said Wadsworth. "We shall just have to see how things develop."

Scarborough: Elliott, Kay, McNaughton, Lydiate, Hoyland, Atkinson, Worrall, Bullimore, Russell, Brodie, Robinson, Williams, Jackson, Carr.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.