HARTLEPOOL United's season is ready for lift-off, according to Chris Turner.

Pool might be second bottom of Division Three after seven games wth just five points, but Turner's sights are set on an assault on the upper reaches of the table.

The Pool boss came out fighting after Tuesday's disappointing home defeat to Cheltenham and after bolstering his options with the signings of Anthony Ormerod and Gordon Watson, he declared: "We are just one win away from moving up the table.

"We've had some great times here over the last two-and-a-half years and now we have hit a low point.

"But I see this as a blip; it's disappointing, of course, but we have just had ten great months of football here and all teams and all managers go through it.

"A lot of clubs have had it after missing out in the play-offs the season before and it's more disappointing because of the high expectations around the club.

"We are only one game away from moving up the table. The most important thing is that we haven't been scoring goals and that's why I've brought the two players in.''

Turner is ready to throw both Watson and Ormerod into action this afternoon. "Ritchie Humphreys has worked his socks off, he's worked very, very hard and was getting no closer.

"Taking him out of the firing line could do him good and then he will be ready and refreshed.

"We haven't scored for five games and that says a lot. It's no disrespect to the strikers but it's vital that we start scoring goals, not only for the individuals but for the team as well.''

Turner played with 30-year-old Watson at Sheffield Wednesday in 1991 before the striker moved to Southampton for £1.2m in 1995.

He then moved to Bradford before being out of the game for a long period after suffering a broken leg and played six League games for Bournemouth in 1999.

He has spent pre-season with Portsmouth and has bagged six goals in eight reserve games this season, a record Turner is desperate to see converted into League goals.

Turner said: "I got a call about Gordon and all the reports I've had on him have been excellent.

"He is desperate to get back into the game and this is an open arrangement for both of us.

"He's been at Portsmouth and had a good pre-season with them. He's played games this season and Graham Rix said his sharpness, attitude and fitness are all there.''

Turner will review the situation after the game with Carlisle next Saturday and added: "Anthony Ormerod is here to get past people on the wing and provide crosses into the area.

"He's impressed on trial and there's a lot of players like him who are surplus to requirements at Premiership clubs. He's in the same boat as Gordon in that if he does well then he could stay longer.''

With defender Graeme Lee (ankle) and striker Kevin Henderson (concussion) absent, Gordon Simms will make his first start alongside James Sharp in the back line.

Kidderminster have endured a miserable start to the season and manager Jan Molby openly talked about the threat of relegation after Tuesday's 4-0 thumping at Shrewsbury.

The former Liverpool midfielder is expecting a tough encounter this afternoon.

"Hartlepool didn't have the best of starts last season and then they went on a 23-match unbeaten run, so they are capable,'' he said.

"They have brought in some better players this year and they are probably taking time to gel, but at the best of times it's a very difficult place to go to.

"It's nice, though, to go there so early in the season when the pitch still looks like a pitch, but it's going to be very, very tough for us.

"They have brought in Richie Humphreys and Tommy Widdrington and they are obviously players who catch the eye, but I think the biggest thing for Hartlepool is the loss of Tommy Miller to Ipswich."

Miller was on the bench for Thursday's European draw with Torpedo Moscow and is in the squad for today's visit to Manchester United.

Read more about Hartlepool here.