RITCHIE Humphreys will be part of the Hartlepool United reunion squad today.

Pool go to bottom-placed Stockport looking for promotion points - and if that causes more misery for their former boss Chris Turner, no-one will mind.

Turner recently took over at Edgeley Park but faces a mammoth task to avoid relegation.

With Chris Westwood and Mark Tinkler sidelined through injury, only Humphreys and Eifion Williams remain from Chris Turner's signings who took Pool out of the bottom division.

John Brackston, Tony Sweeney and Adam Boyd will also start, after coming through the youth ranks at Victoria Park, and the rest have all been signed by Neale Cooper.

Turner said: "I would like to think I'll get a good reception from the fans but you never know!

"We started things off there a few years ago but we'll still want to beat them on Saturday.

"In our situation it's a bit like trying to stop a train from hurtling down the tracks, but I do think we are slowing it down a bit.''

Humphreys was signed by Turner in 2001 and has been an inspiration during the successful seasons of late.

Captain in the absence of Micky Barron, Humphreys admitted: "Stockport is one to look forward to.

"It will be good to see Chris again. They had a good result last week at Oldham and will be fighting for their lives.

"We need to put in another good away performance on the back of Port Vale - but we have been doing that since the Wrexham game. We have been very resilient.''

Pool's current away record is in stark contrast to their early-season run.

They have not lost in eight games on the road, conceding just two goals in the processs.

Last Saturday they won at Port Vale and, after beating Brentford in midweek, Humphreys said: "We've had two good results after losing a couple of games and that was important.

"It is never easy to play against Brentford and it isn't easy to play in the conditions like that.''

Pool had to come from behind in midweek, winning 3-1 after Isiah Rankin put the visitors in front.

Cooper's side dominated the game but were given a scare when Humphreys' back-pass played in Rankin for the opening goal.

Humphreys admitted: "I apologised in the dressing room to the lads afterwards, it was a mistake on my part. I looked up and saw Rankin there, but I've tried to play the ball back to Dimi (Konstantopolous) so he can clear it - unfortunately, it got stuck in the mud. I've got to hold my hands up to the mistake, but I thought that after that we went on and controlled the game.

"The goal kicked us into shape and we played some excellent stuff, especially through Joel (Porter).

"He was running at the defence at pace and caused them plenty of problems.

"It was an important win, a fantastic win in the overall picture of what is happening in the table.

"Our record against them hasn't been good. I made a mistake but we went on to win the game. It puts some pressure on the other teams as well and we were more than due a result against them.''

Pool have lost only once since they beat Stockport 3-1 at Victoria Park on December 11. The run has firmed up their play-off hopes and Cooper paid tribute to his squad for their efforts of late.

He said: "Everyone in this team has to work hard to keep their place, each and every player knows it. And we are seeing Eifion Williams playing very well.

"He's had a little spell out but his last two performances have been very good.

"He has been winning headers, tracking back and playing with full effort. We work hard in training and as well as that they have three weight programmes in the gym each week.

"That's for everybody and all the players know the difference it makes. Look at Joel, he's a different player to the one who came here - he's felt the benefit.''

l Today's game is being refereed by Lee Mason - the official who red-carded Jack Ross in the FA Cup tie against Brentford a fortnight ago. The dismissal was rescinded on appeal 48 hours later.