Academy Manager Alex Cross says Hartlepool United’s players are ready to embrace their opportunity as Pools begin their first National League Cup campaign against Middlesbrough’s Premier League 2 side at Victoria Park on Tuesday afternoon (3.00pm kick-off).

The fixture comes three days after Lee Clark’s side opened the Enterprise National League season with a 2-0 victory over Barrow, courtesy of goals from debutants Will Harris and Jack Nolan.

Attention now turns to the National League Cup, a competition the Club will use to provide opportunities for emerging talent and strengthen the pathway between the Academy and First Team.

Cross will take charge of a Pools side featuring a blend of Under-21 and First-Team players, and he is relishing the opportunity to lead the team at Victoria Park.

“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to take charge of the team for our opening National League Cup fixture,” said Cross.

“We’re expecting a really competitive game against Middlesbrough and it’s an occasion we’re all looking forward to. It will be a proud moment to lead a Pools side at Victoria Park.”

Tuesday’s contest will provide a first competitive platform for several members of the Club’s newly established Under-21 Professional Development Squad following a busy summer of recruitment and preparation.

“We’ve worked extremely hard in a short space of time to assemble the squad,” Cross explained.

“We have a very young group, but we’ve been pleased with the players, the way they’ve applied themselves and the progress they’ve made.

“Some of them will be involved on Tuesday alongside our first-year professionals and younger members of the First-Team squad.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity for everybody selected, particularly the Under-21 players. They will have the chance to show what they can do in a competitive environment and take another step towards senior football.”

Cross believes the experience of playing alongside First-Team players will be invaluable for the Club’s emerging talent as they encounter the demands and expectations of representing Pools at Victoria Park.

“The team will contain a blend of Under-21 and First-Team players and that will benefit the entire group,” he added.

“The younger lads can learn from players who have experience of the senior game, both through the standards they set and the way they handle different situations on the pitch.

“For some, it could be their first opportunity to represent the Club at Victoria Park. Testing themselves against a strong Middlesbrough side in front of the Poolies will be an important experience in their development.”

Establishing a recognisable footballing identity throughout the Club has been central to the new development structure, with the Academy and Under-21 staff working closely with Clark and his First-Team coaching team.

Cross wants that shared approach to be evident in Tuesday’s performance.

“We want the players to build on the work taking place across the First Team and the Under-21 programme,” he said.

“We’re establishing a clear philosophy, identity and set of standards throughout the Club.

“The players have been competitive throughout pre-season and have responded well to everything we’ve asked of them. Now we want them to take those principles into a competitive fixture.

“The aim is to create a clear pathway into the First Team and ensure our young players understand what it takes to represent Pools. With the two groups coming together on Tuesday, we want that work to be reflected in the performance.”

Middlesbrough’s Category One Academy has a strong reputation for developing players for senior football, and Cross expects their PL2 side to provide a demanding opening test.

“We know Middlesbrough will bring a lot of quality, so we’re expecting a difficult fixture,” he admitted.

“They will have talented players who are working towards First-Team football at a Championship club, but we also have exciting young players across our Under-21 and First-Team groups.

“It will be a valuable test for us and give the players an opportunity to measure themselves against high-quality opposition. It will also provide us with a clear indication of where they are in their development and the areas in which we can continue helping them improve.”

While player development will remain central to Pools’ participation in the competition, Cross insists the team will approach every fixture with a determination to compete and secure a positive result.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for the players to show Lee and his staff that they’re capable of taking the next step,” he continued.

“These games can also create further opportunities for players, whether that is progressing towards our First Team or gaining experience through a loan or dual-registration move.

“Development is a major part of the competition for us, but representing Pools always carries a responsibility. We want to compete, perform to the highest possible level and try to win the game.

“Every player involved will have an opportunity to make an impression, while those who are not selected on Tuesday must remain ready because everyone will have a role to play during the competition.

“Our focus is on producing the best performance we can, representing the Club in the right way and giving ourselves every chance of beginning the campaign with a positive result.”

Tuesday’s fixture forms part of the Club’s Family Fun Day at Victoria Park, and Cross hopes the Poolies will turn out in numbers to support the team.

“This competition gives supporters an opportunity to see some of the Club’s emerging players at Victoria Park and follow their progress,” he concluded.

“The backing of the Poolies will make the occasion even more valuable for the younger lads. We hope families come along, enjoy the day and get behind every player representing Pools.”