Managing Hartlepool United at the best of times isn’t easy. Managing them in their current predicament would be challenging for anyone.

Craig Harrison is preparing his side for today’s visit of Wrexham. Victoria Park is sold out. The club is up for sale, and, while a deal looks set to be arranged next week to take over the club, until then there’s a raft of issues to contend with.

The players and staff have been told they will be paid next week. Harrison has lost two of his most important players this week in Keith Watson and Jonathan Franks. Watson’s loan deal is up, so too Franks’ six-month deal.

Under a National League transfer embargo, they cannot keep either player.

Pools, since the financial crisis unfurled, have won only one in 12 and are floundering in the National League.

“It is not easy,’’ reflected Harrison. ““We are trying to morale as high as possible.

“I like to think that the players can come into training and forget about everything that is going on in the background.

“The sooner we pick three points it will be a confidence boost and then hopefully we can move on.

“It is a battle to keep spirits high, make no mistake about it. It is what it is. We have to try our best to put that aside and prepare for the game.’’

Harrison, before moving to Pools, was flying high. His TNS side in the League of Wales were dominant.

Being in charge of Pools is a struggle.

“As a manager it is the worst situation I have known,’’ he reflected. “You cannot concentrate on the football side of things 100 per cent - you have to juggle that with the pressures from elsewhere.

“We have to just try and keep things moving as smooth as possible.

“There is a lot going on. But we have good staff. Others jobs are being shared and we want to make things work. The players are important. We need to keep them focused.

An on-line fundraising campaign sits at around the £60,000 mark. Today’s crowd will be made up of fans from Middlesbrough, who recall how Pools allowed Boro to use Victoria Ground in their hour of need in 1986, amongst others.

Gateshead-born, Harrison said: “I am from the North East so I understand the passion there is for football and sport.

“I played for Middlesbrough and watched Newcastle United as a child. I know what football means to people in this area.

“The Hartlepool fans have been amazing, unbelievable. They want to get the club out of a whole.

“We can't thank them enough. All we can do is give them a win and three points to cheer on Saturday.

“Then you never know, it could give everyone a shot in the arm.’’

When Harrison spoke to the press on Thursday morning, there was no saviour waiting in the wings. The staff had yet to be told if they were to be paid next week, although confirmation has followed.

The landscape has changed since then, with hopes high of a positive outcome next week.

Of the problems, with worries about wages and the club without their regular home strip for tomorrow under lock and key, held to ransom by a town laundrette.

“I am communicating with the powers that be daily and I hope something can get done,’’ mused Harrison. “People are edgy about what is happening.

“People have got bills, mortgages and kids to look after. The sooner this situation is sorted out the better.

“It is human nature you take your eye off the ball in these situations - not getting at the end of the month. Whether that's 1 per cent or 5 per cent.

“We are not thinking beyond the end of the month.

“We hope that after that an investor can come in and take the club forward. But we just have to focus on the game and January 25 (when wages are due).

“We have an honest group of lads and support staff. They will give everything when that whistle goes to hopefully get the right result.’’

And, with Victoria Park set for a bumper turnout today with all home tickets sold, Harrison admitted he can’t wait for the occasion.

“This is what we are involved in football for - big crowds, support, atmosphere - and it's up to us to keep that support.

“It is a huge boost. The whole of football has come together.

“There has been that much going on off the pitch the players will be relieved to get out of the pitch.

“It gives them a chance to get out there and express themselves and maybe forget about the worries they have off the field.

“Most of these players would be playing on a Saturday or Sunday morning with their mates if they were not professionals. They love the game. They are lucky enough to be playing in front of a sell-out crowd, who want them to do well.’’