Hartlepool United youngsters set to feature in FA Trophy clash against Anstey Nomads
Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone admits he expects versatile teenager Campbell Darcy to be involved in this weekend's FA Trophy clash with Northern Premier League Division One Midlands side Anstey Nomads.
The 19-year-old was called back to Victoria Park this week following an impressive stint with Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit Hebburn Town.
Capable of operating at centre-half, right-back or in a more advanced midfield role, where he spent most of his time for the Hornets, Hebburn manager Daniel Moore hailed Darcy as "an ideal young player for us".
So successful was the youngster's initial month-long loan spell, in fact, that Hebburn twice extended his deal, with Moore full of praise for the teenager's "brilliant" impact.
Darcy, who has made four substitute appearances for Pools and featured fairly regularly in pre-season, will now be hoping he can break into the first team having made his senior debut in January 2023.
Full-back Louis Stephenson could also be in line to feature this weekend after being recalled from a stint with National League North side Buxton.
The energetic defender, who remains a hugely popular figure at Victoria Park, looked well-placed to establish himself as a first team regular at the beginning of last season but has endured a challenging spell of late, spending time out on loan at the likes of Blyth Spartans, Whitby Town and Buxton, where he scored once in 10 games but lost his place towards the end of his time in Derbyshire.
Although the 20-year-old, who has already made 35 senior Pools appearances, still possesses plenty of potential, he will need to start realising it sooner rather than later if he's to carve out a career at Victoria Park.
Saturday's game, then, could represent a real opportunity for both Darcy and Stephenson, as well as a number of other fringe players, after Featherstone vowed to make changes as Pools begin their FA Trophy campaign against lower level opposition.
"We've brought them both back for different reasons," the new Pools boss told The Red Radio.
"We see this as an opportunity for both of them to be involved this weekend.
"Cam Darcy's done brilliantly on loan at Hebburn, the next stage for him is he either comes back and tries to get in the first team, or we look to get him a better loan.
"He's got an opportunity this weekend, he'll be in the squad and hopefully we can get him some game time."