AHEAD of a trip to League Two leaders Chesterfield, Hartlepool United will be in for training tomorrow.

Boss Colin Cooper wants to ensure his players are prepared for the trip to Derbyshire and, with a game at Morecambe on Sunday, it’s a normal working week for his squad.

Cooper admitted: “We have had a busy week with a trip to Coventry last Tuesday, so I want the players to have some recovery time, ahead of another busy week.

“There’s a lot of discipline involved in rest and recovery before a short spell of games.

Chesterfield are top and I think we can give them a game provided we are ready.

“Get the momentum there and we will be alright. Chasing games is asking an awful lot. We have to keep the back door closed and go again.”

Pools will train at Victoria Park tomorrow and Cooper added: “If we have an extra recovery day after a threegame week, I like to do that.

We will be in Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, then decide how everyone looks after Chesterfield.

And we are in Saturday ahead of the Sunday game.

“Playing three games in the space of a week or less, it’s about recovery and rest. I want to give them extra rest, but we train Christmas Day at the Vic.

“I’ve persuaded the groundsman to allow us use of the pitch. It’s up to the players – do they want to train early, or come in mid-morning and get back home for lunch and the Queen’s speech?

“It’s normal for us as footballers.

In 25 years I’ve had two Christmases off. As a player it’s a working time, everyone else is geared up for festivities and you have to switch on professionally.

“They are professional and disciplined, there’s no doubts on that score. My theory is if we get to Chesterfield and I have a personal ‘what if’ scenario after not training on Christmas Day, I wouldn’t feel right.”