CHRIS WESTWOOD is keeping his fingers crossed that defensive partner Graeme Lee is still at Hartlepool United next season.

Lee is out of contract in the summer and is understood to be wanted by former Pool boss Chris Turner at Sheffield Wednesday.

The central defender has been offered a new deal at Victoria Park, but is currently considering his options.

Westwood, who was named in the PFA Third Division Team of the Year along with Lee last week, believes it would be a big blow to Pool if his teammate departs.

The pair, also leading the race to be crowned The Northern Echo player of the year, have missed only one League game between them this season with Lee absent from the home win over Oxford in January.

"I just said to Spike (Lee) that I will miss him if he does go and he said that it's not certain he is going," said Westwood.

"But we have worked up a partnership over the past two or three years and we have done well. He will be a big miss.

"We have both got used to the way we like to play and I think we have got better and better over the years together."

Westwood's first goal of the season at Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday was not enough for Pool to lift the title.

But Mike Newell's men have won promotion and will be playing Second Division football next season.

And Westwood, who recently signed a new, two-year contract, is sure Pool can become a force at a higher level and believes his manager will be making a few new additions to his squad in the summer.

"We don't want to be coming back down and I would say consolidation was the first port of call," said Westwood.

"After that though you never know because other teams have gone up and done well.

"I don't think there is that big a gulf in class.

"The manager's going to have to sign players because I think some are going to leave."