DAVE JONES is aiming to lay down firm foundations at Hartlepool United. Appointed last week, the new boss takes charge of tomorrow’s game at Newport.

And, while Pools are faced with a six-hour Friday journey to South Wales, Jones is weighing up alternatives.

Pools have always travelled by coach to away games, but Jones, who is used to working at bigger clubs with bigger budgets, admitted the squad could make the trip in a different way to normal.

“First away trip for me is dependent on how we travel, we are looking at different options and if it comes off we may decide flying is the best option. Train is an option – different ways of doing things,’’ he admitted.

“I’m not here to bust the bank, but to make sure it’s right. People say it’s only Hartlepool, but it, for me, doesn’t mean you don’t think in a professional manner. I’m trying to change that culture.

“You don’t always have to have lots of money to have a clean house.

“I’m trying to introduce a culture here so the day I leave there’s a legacy and that’s happened at other clubs I’ve been at. I love doing it.

“Anyone can progress in the right culture. All I’m doing it taking away the excuses and every excuse a player can come up with.

“Then all he has to do is cross the white line and perform. If training is right, if preparation is right, then it’s all there for them.’’

Billy Paynter remains a doubt for tomorrow, while Nathan Thomas could be left at home. He made a late cameo last weekend after missing three months with a groin injury.

"The problem with Nathan is that he's been out a long time, so his body is out of balance,’’ said Jones.

"All of a sudden you feel something else that you didn't have because you've not been working that part. We'll see how he is, I'm sure there will be battle between me, the player and physio.

"But I know it will be the right decision, whether he's ready or not.

"The last thing you want to do is put someone on the pitch who is carrying something and risk putting them out for longer. You may have to suffer without him for a game to get him for the rest of the season.’’

Jones is enjoying his first full week with his new charges, with assistants Alex Armstrong and Kevin Cooper overseeing the training ground work.

He said: “They have been brilliant in training, we’ve not come in and tried to make wholesale changes, we’ve done it bit by bit and we aren’t confusing anyone. We are trying to help them, slowly introducing a plan. We don’t just train for the sake of training, there’s a reason why. And we educate them on how we want to play so it becomes instant for them.

“They seem to have enjoyed it so far, but it’s been hard for them.’’

Pools have signed goalkeeper Joe Fryer on loan from Middlesbrough as back up to Adam Bartlett.