HARTLEPOOL United have the perfect - and possibly final - opportunity to reach for the play-offs this week.

Luton and Bournemouth, both rivals for a top-six slot, visit Victoria Park in the space of five days.

On the back of successive defeats at home to Brentford and at Brighton, Pool have their former boss Mike Newell back in town tonight with his Luton side.

Pool are ninth, three points outside the play-off zone, with Bournemouth currently occupying the sixth and final spot.

With Luton one place and two points ahead of Pool, Newell's return to Victoria Park becomes even more intriguing.

Pool suffered a 3-2 defeat at Kenilworth Road in the early stages of the season and midfielder Gavin Strachan admitted: "This is another big game and another game against one of our play-off rivals.

"It will be a hard game because they are a decent side. I know the old manager is coming back to the club, but let's leave that one for the fans - we have got a job to do.''

Strachan missed a penalty at Brighton on Saturday with the score at 0-0. The midfielder has been an influential figure for Pool this season and he said: "It's unfortunate because we missed our last penalty as well, so that makes it two in a row.

"Soon afterwards they were one-up. But we were battling away and at 1-0 we were looking for the equaliser, especially in the last ten minutes.

"We were caught out on the counter attack and it was the day when we didn't get the breaks.''

With defensive rock Micky Nelson out injured, manager Neale Cooper will again field Mark Tinkler at centre half.

On Saturday, reserve team regulars Darren Craddock and Tony Sweeney were handed rare starts. Strachan formed a midfield partnership with Sweeney, Craddock stood in at right back in the continued absence of Micky Barron and Strachan can see a bright future for the pair.

"Sweens and Cradds played well and it's good for them to play in games like Saturday's where they are up against one of the division's better sides,'' he admitted.

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