Hignett has plenty of scope for changes to his Hartlepool side

The Pools boss watched his side demolish Morecambe 5-2 at the weekend and plans regular changes between now and the end of the season.

Pools go to Notts County this evening, with Matthew Bates (thigh) and Jake Carroll (head) likely to be out, along with Billy Paynter (hamstring).

That’s three of his regulars missing, but Hignett is willing to see more changes. With a big squad and plenty of players at his disposal, the Pools boss has plenty of scope for alterations.

“Tuesday we may change and look at different things. I’ve tried different things the last two games and learned a lot,’’ he reflected.

“Notts County is a game we lost the other week and I’ve said before if we played it now we would not lose it like we did.

“We are above them in the league now and they were above us before.’’

Hartlepool United's Rhys Oates celebrates with Josh Laurent after scoring the 5th goal to make it 5-2 against Morcambe. Picture: Dan Westwell

Rhys Oates, Josh Laurent, Michael Woods and Brad Walker all made an impact at the weekend, with Woods instrumental in Pools’ performance from the off, as Oates scored the fifth goal and Walker earned a penalty.

Hignett said: “I’m pleased for Rhys to score, he’s had to wait and did well at Carlisle and unfortunate to lose his place. Josh came on , we had a look and he will get more game time and it’s nice to put to bed people saying we are only 16 points above relegation or whatever – are we 12 from the play-offs now? Maybe people will start looking upwards.

“Michael Woods was outstanding, coupled with Nicky Feathertsone, Lewis Hawkins, Nathan Thomas, it all come together and we have the full-backs joining in too and what we asked for was what we got.’’

He added: “Jake came off, he was ill and took a knock to the head and couldn’t remember things. To stay on how he did was brilliant, but you can’t risk anyone’s well-being.

“He wasn’t knocked out, but took a blow and I think he will struggle for Tuesday.

“Nath wasn’t well, he is one of them who needs something wrong to perform. He was missed at Carlisle with a chest infection and he’s a bit of flu and a few of them have it. They played and came through it.’’

“We kept the shape and because we were so good with the ball we took chances. It looked like proper football and some of it was brilliant to watch. I wanted it to be a keepball session. Pass it for passing sake and see what we got.

“And we can experiment now and see what works.

“It was quite clinical and it was good to see. We have been wasteful at times and final third at Carlisle was disappointing, but this time we had it in abundance.’’

Pools have pegged back season ticket prices for the 2016/17 campaign for tickets bought before July 1.

Prices (up to July) 1: Adults - £250; Seniors (60 and over) - £150; Students - £150; Under 19s - £120; Under 16s - £75

Regular Prices (after 1st July)

Adults - £299; Seniors (60 and over) - £175; Students - £175; Under 19s - £150; Under 16s - £95