HARTLEPOOL United last night had an unprecedented four players named in the PFA Division Three team of the year.

With promotion in the bag and the league title to be decided on Saturday, the news will provide a big boost to the Pool players ahead of the crunch game at Rushden.

Defenders Graeme Lee and Chris Westwood and midfielders Mark Tinkler and Ritchie Humphreys were the players picked for the team, which is voted by other Division Three players.

Midfielder Tommy Miller was named in the team in both 2000 and 2001 - but the club has never had four players picked.

Lee and Westwood, the two players leading the race to be crowned The Northern Echo player of the year, have been in commanding form as Pool set the pace in Division Three.

Westwood has been ever present, while defensive parter Lee has only missed one game, netting two goals in 44 outings.

Westwood was earlier this month crowned Pool's away player of the year.

Humphreys took the award as Victoria Park's player of the year (right) and has been a revelation since moving into midfield, scoring 11 times.

Tinkler - another to recently sign a new, two year contract - has missed just one league game and on Saturday took his league tally for the season to 13.

Read more about Hartlepool here.