FORMER Premiership title winner Mike Newell believes guiding Hartlepool United to the Third Division crown will rank alongside his greatest achievement.

The Pool boss was part of the Blackburn Rovers side which lifted the most coveted prize in English football in 1995.

But now, in his first managerial post, he insists leading the Victoria Park club to glory in the lower echelons of professional football would give him just as much personal satisfaction.

However, Newell also stated that their first target remains achieving an automatic promotion place as soon as possible.

"There's no doubt winning the title would be up there with everything I've achieved," said the former centre-forward, who takes his side to play-off chasing Kidderminster Harriers this afternoon.

"Winning promotion is the main objective. Once we have got that then we can start to look at other things."

Pool have seen a 14-point lead at the top of the table dwindle to just three going into today's fixtures.

And Newell took his players for a three-day break at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall on Wednesday in a bid to relax his below-par squad.

But, despite the team-building exercise going well, he is also hoping for a little luck from the Manager of the Month award curse.

Second-placed Rushden & Diamonds chief, Brian Talbot, picked up the top boss gong this week after his side's impressive March.

Newell said: "Let's hope that Manager of the Month jinx strikes again! Rushden have been doing well but it looks as if it could go right down to our game at their place on the last day."

While Pool are determined to bounce back from a poor run of form - they have won just once in seven matches - Kidderminster are keen for an end-of-season promotion push themselves.

Ian Britton's men are three points adrift of a play-off place after going four games without a victory.

But Newell is not taking anything for granted at Aggborough, saying: "They can be a difficult side and they still have plenty to play for. We will have to be focused because we know they can cause problems."

Pool captain Michael Barron (back) and midfielder Mark Tinkler (stomach) both trained yesterday but Newell will make a late decision on their fitness.

Versatile Paul Arnison is ready to fill the void left by Barron and Tommy Widdrington is also standing by.

Newell revealed his players are in confident mood, saying: "We had a game of golf on Wednesday and we have trained on some quaility facilties at Lilleshall.

"It's been a great few days and it has been a nice change for all of the lads and they seem to have enjoyed it."

* Notts County, the oldest professional club in the world, are facing exclusion from the Football League.

County have an estimated debt of £6m after calling in administrators in June and have now been given until May 27 to emerge from administration or they will be kicked out of the League.

* Huddersfield will play their three remaining home matches at the McAlpine Stadium, despite owing Stadium Company KSDL over £300,000.

Speculation had been rife that the Terriers may have been forced to play out the rest of the campaign at a neutral venue.

* Barnsley owner Peter Doyle insists the club is in a ''stronger position'' to move forward after their move into administration.

Doyle has invited four representatives from the supporters' clubs to join the club's board.

* Sheffield Wednesday will decide whether to try to extend Lee Bradbury's loan spell after this weekend's clash with Wimbledon.