FORMER York City favourite Paul Stephenson may have to settle for a place on the bench with Hartlepool United at Bootham Crescent tomorrow.

The one-time City winger started his first game in three months in Pool's 1-0 win over Bristol Rovers in midweek.

The triumph extended Hartlepool's unbeaten run to five games and keeps them in play-off contention.

However, after lining up 5-3-2 against the Pirates United boss Chris Turner has indicated he will more than likely return to the 4-4-2 formation that has served them so well in recent months.

That means Stephenson, 34, who has been out with a knee injury, could be relegated to the bench alongside one-time City trialist Paul Arnison.

Ruled out tomorrow is Hartlepool's 13-goal top scorer, former Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford striker Gordon Watson.

Watson underwent a minor knee operation last week and is expected to be out of action for a month.

Updated: 11:54 Friday, February 15, 2002