WHACKED at Mansfield on Saturday, Hartlepool United now have tests against promotion-chasers Luton and Plymouth to come.

After the weekend humbling, Pools are at Luton this evening before they meet Plymouth at home at the weekend.

Pools have to improve, and improve hugely, if they are to make an impact this evening and on Saturday.

At home and Jones has been slightly impressed by his charges; on the road it’s a different story as they have lost 3-1 and 4-0 in his two away games today.

But of the week’s games, Jones, with his side 19th in League Two, said: "They are both fighting to get out of the division.

"We're fighting to get out of the division too.

"We still have a slim possibility you know. We'll hang on to that a long as we possibly can until it's mathematically impossible.

"We'll test the players, we'll push them, we'll see if they have taken on board what we are trying to do.

"We are not the biggest side physically but we have good players, technically, and I've said that before.

"If we can find the best way to get the use of that then there is no reason why this club can't be a force.’’

He added: "We are up against a strong side who are pushing to get out of League Two.

"To be honest, I'd rather be in that type of game than playing someone fighting and scrapping to stay in the league.

"The games [against the better sides] are more enjoyable to be involved in.

"The players have a responsibility and I have a responsibility to see if we can force our way up that table."

Pools have injury doubts this evening over right-back Liam Donnelly (ankle) and striker Padraig Amond (shoulder).

If Donnelly is forced out, then 17-year-old right-back Kenton Richardson will make his first start after a substitute debut at the weekend.