JOHN Askey believes a fully firing Josh Umerah could be the difference between relegation and survival for Hartlepool United.

Pools' number nine has 14 goals this season, a fine return for a frontman in a struggling side, but he's only managed to hit the net once in his last 10 outings.

Askey says there's no fitness or injury issue with Umerah and is backing his striker to rediscover top form, hopefully starting on Good Friday at Grimsby Town (3pm).

"All players go through those spells," Askey told BBC Tees.

"I know with Josh he's an honest lad. If he keeps working, eventually with the ability he's got he'll come right again.

"He's an important part of the team. If we can get him to his best, that could be the difference between staying up or not.

"I spoke to him yesterday on the phone, he's completely over the trouble he had with his knee.

"You get to the end of the season, whether he's a bit fatigued, it's something we need to look at.

"Do we start him or not? He's a character, he's a really good character and even though he might not be at his best he's still very important."

For all Pools are still in the relegation zone and two points shy of safety, Askey says there's a feel-good factor around the club on the back of last week's dramatic come from behind victory against Swindon Town that extended the unbeaten stretch to six games.

More than 500 supporters turned out for an open training session this week and there'll be 1,200 Pools fans in the away end at Grimsby.

Askey said: "Players and managers come and go but supporters are constant.

"The connection is huge and supporters feel part of the club. Without them there isn't a club and Hartlepool have supporters who are very passionate. Hopefully we can bring everyone together.

"The following at Grimsby shows how much it means to them. To stay in league football is huge for everyone."

After the Grimsby trip comes a home game against Stevenage on Monday.

Askey said: "The Easter period won't be make or break but will have a big bearing on what happens for the rest of the season.

"Grimsby have some good players and on their day, as they proved in the FA Cup, they can turn it on. We have to be wary but the main thing is we concentrate on ourselves. If we do that we've proved we can match the best in the league."