HARTLEPOOL UNITED have gone six games without a win, but Peter Hartley is adamant their target is a realistic one.

Pools’ last win came on New Year’s Day at Victoria Park against tonight’s opponents Oldham Athletic.

That victory put Pools within touching distance of the top six and, while they now sit six points off that spot, centre-half Peter Hartley cuts a confident figure.

“I got the most important goal against Oldham when we won 4-2 and we have got a good record against them in the last couple of seasons and we want that to continue,” he insisted.

“I think we have won all three games home and away I’ve played against them so we go into that one with a bit of positivity.

“If we can get a couple of goals away from home it will give us a boost, because we generally have had a good away record.

“We had a little slip against Peterborough but we have been solid away from home.

“The results will come and the play-offs are our target.

We’ve said all season that we think we are good enough to get in the play-offs and we’ve got to prove it and got to keep battling.

“Every team has a blip in their season. I think we maybe could have had three points against Notts County but we will take one, go to Oldham and take it from there – the top six is still our target.”

Pools will have Scott Flinders in goal tonight for the first time since September.

He has recovered from a thumb ligament injury which means Jake Kean has gone back to Blackburn.

His loan spell was impressive, but Pools are confident their defensive record will continue with Flinders.

“For a 19-year-old lad Jake brings confidence out in the team. He comes and collects things, has got a big frame and presence and it’s very good to have him behind you,’’ said Hartley.

“Scotty is a great keeper.

You saw that last season. He has got a fantastic attitude.

He is the first one in the training ground and the last one out.

“I don’t have a problem with him coming back in because he is a different class keeper.”

Mick Wadsworth has a full compliment of players to choose from, with Paul Murray and James Brown both pressing for a recall to the starting XI after illness.