BURNLEY full-back Gary Parkinson is ready to hit the comeback trail against old pals Middlesbrough tonight.

But Parkinson and the Clarets reserve team squad will be not be revelling in the glamour and glitz of Middlesbrough's Riverside stadium.

Parky, instead, is expected to make his reappearance in the more humble background of Hartlepool United's Victoria Ground.

Middlesbrough, the runaway leaders in Pontins League Division Two, use the Third Division stadium to stage all their second string fixtures.

And Parkinson expects to use at least part of the match to prove he is back on the road to full fitness against a powerful Middlesbrough side likely to include Craig Hignett, Clayton Blackmore, Jamie Moreno and Norwegian striker Jan-Aage Fjortoft. "Gary has made very good progress over the past couple of weeks and we hope to be able to give him a decent run-out," explained physio Andy Jones.

"He has worked exceptionally hard over the past couple of weeks and, providing he suffers no setback in his final training stint today, he should be OK to play."

Parkinson has not featured in first team action since injuring a hamstring in the 3-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town on November 18.

A good run-out tonight could even force Parkinson into the reckoning for Saturday's home game against Stockport County.

But his main priority will be a tentative return to the fray after nearly two months on the Turf Moor treatment table. Burnley are planning to field 21-year-old trialist Paul Cox tonight. The former Notts County apprentice plays at centre-back. The Clarets second string will also include Nathan Peel, Ted McMinn, Derek Adams and John Borland.

Carlisle, 5-0 conquerors of Burnley, face an Auto Windscreens Shield semi-final tie against Chesterfield in the draw made today. Draw: Rotherham v York, Carlisle v Chesterfield. Southern section: Shrewsbury v Hereford, Peterborough v Bristol Rovers.

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