HARTLEPOOL United’s squad landed in Tenerife last night, as their pre-season preparations moved up a notch.

A routine first outing of the summer on Saturday saw them beat Billingham Town 4-0 at Bedford Terrace.

And Pools are now lined up for a week-long training camp in the Mediterranean sunshine.

Hignett, however, insists it’s no holiday. While disappointed that planned friendlies have failed to materialise at their training camp –La Caleta, a facility used previously by Premier League clubs – he is relishing the chance to put his stamp on the squad.

“Now we can look forward to a really good training week and do some specific work in Tenerife – more football stuff, working in groups and units,’’ he said.

“We can get on with how we defend as a unit, this is how the midfielders come in, this is how we attack, all good solid stuff.

“It will be a lot more structured, but it will be hard work – that’s why we are going.

“We are disappointed we haven’t got a game out there, we were due to have a couple but they’ve not happened.

“But we have enough players to have a full 90 minute practice game between us, although we would have preferred games and we’ve been let down.’’

Speaking after Saturday’s win, the Pools boss added: “We don’t get there until late Sunday, but Monday will be cracking on with work to get going. Tuesday will be tough, we will play Wednesday, and Thursday warm down, Friday and Saturday tough games. We come back Sunday, have Monday off and then prepare for Sunderland.’’

Pools take on Sunderland at Victoria Park a week on Wednesday, and then a young side will take on Spennymoor on Friday, July 22. The planned friendly at Salford is off – “Salford have let us down badly” said Hignett – but Pools hope to arrange an alternative game.

Hignett fielded his summer signings Toto Nsalia, Nicky Deverdics, Lewis Alessandra and Padraig Amond on Saturday and the latter two were both on target, as Pools fielded different teams in each half.

Alessandra notched on 16 minutes after a corner was only half cleared. Captain Billy Paynter headed in a cross from Carl Magnay a couple of minutes later. Magnay’s cross was then turned into his own net from six yards by home centre-half Mark Dixon.

The final goal didn’t arrive until the hour, as Amond, who bagged 37 goals for Grimsby last season, netted from close range.

In front of a crowd of around 850 which was a big boost for Billingham’s finances, Hignett added: “It was what I expected it to be. It’s about opening your lungs up again and playing on a full pitch for the first time since last season.

“We had some really good performances, the lads managed goals, and there’s nothing to be disappointed with.’’

Pools (first-half): Carson, Magnay, Bates, Nsiala, Gilbey, Featherstone, Laurent (Orrell 30), Hawkins, Alessandra, Paynter, Oates.

Pools (second-half): Bartlett, Richards, May, Jones, Carroll, Walker, Woods, Deverics, Orrell, Amond, Thomas.