MIKE Newell yesterday pinned his hopes on his title-chasing Hartlepool United squad.

And now the Pool boss wants to see his faith repaid.

Transfer deadline day passed quietly at Victoria Park ahead of tomorrow's home game with Bournemouth, where Pool are seeking to boost their five-point advantage at the top of Division Three.

Pool have set the pace all season and Newell wants his players to be rewarded with promotion and the championship.

Newell is likely to make changes after last week's disappointing defeat at Bristol Rovers - and Paul Smith could benefit.

The left winger has suffered an injury-ravaged season, damaging a knee in pre-season before suffering a gashed calf on Boxing Day.

He's made just five starts, but is in the frame for a place in the starting line-up tomorrow.

"Just like any other footballer I just want to be playing first team football,'' he said.

"I know it's just from the bench, but it is still first-team football and I am slowly getting back into it.

"I haven't been match fit since I cut my shin and basically could not get back into the team.

"The lads went 11 games unbeaten and it is hard to change a winning team.

"You have just got to be patient and try to take your chance when it comes along."

He added: "I was knocking on the manager's door two or three times a week asking when I was going to be playing again, but I understood what he was saying when he told me he couldn't change a winning team.

"I have just had to sit on the bench and be patient.''

Last week's defeat was Pool's second in a row and Smith, who played for the reserves on Wednesday alongside Gordon Watson admitted: "Things have gone a bit wrong, but the results went for us last Saturday which was a big plus point.

"We need to start games a bit better. If we started the first half like we started the second then I don't think there would have been a problem.

"It is a bit hard to say where we are going wrong. We have been unlucky in some cases and hit the bar and the post a few times and keepers have made good saves against us.

"I think their keeper was man-of-the-match on Saturday, he made some good saves, but hopefully our luck is going to change soon and those chances will drop under the bar."

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