York City fans will get a glimpse of what could have been when Hartlepool arrive at Bootham Crescent tomorrow, writes Dave Stanford.

The Evening Press can reveal 'Pool striker Paul Beavers, a transfer-deadline day acquisition from Oldham, was a target of previous City chief Neil Thompson.

Thompson made a tentative inquiry about the availability of the 6ft 3ins former Sunderland target man at the beginning of the current campaign.

Hartlepool, after a disappointing 1-1 draw with bottom-club Chester in midweek, will be anxious for a win to maintain their occupancy of the final promotion play-off place.

Torquay, who the 'Pool beat 2-0 last Saturday, are just three points behind in eighth place but have a game in hand.

Hartlepool manager Chris Turner made his move for Beavers after losing his version of Mark Sertori to injury.

Defender-cum target man striker Graeme Lee is out for the rest of the season with ankle ligament damage, suffered in the match with Chester.

Beavers arrival means there will be no recall for Kevin Henderson, who bagged both goals for Hartlepool in their 2-1 win over the Minstermen back in December.

Henderson is only just returning to full fitness after a lengthy lay-off though and Turner is believed to have doubts about the former Burnley striker's fitness.

Ex-City winger Paul Stephenson, who scored against Torquay last week, will be aiming to gun down his former team mates while one to watch will be Pool's free-scoring and highly-rated midfielder Tommy Miller, who has bagged 14 goals this term.

On the bench for tomorrow's visitors will be full-back Paul Arnison, who recently played for City's reserves as he tried to earn a contract having been released by Newcastle.

Arnison has signed a one-year contract at Victoria Park, while his one-time Magpie team mate striker James Coppinger has signed until the end of the season.

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