TABLE-TOPPERS Hartlepool United will head to Lilleshall tomorrow in a bid to build up confidence ahead of their weekend trip to Kidderminster, writes Paul Fraser.

Pool have won just one of their last seven games and their lead at the top of the Third Division has been cut to just three points with six games to go.

And manager Mike Newell last night revealed he is taking his title-chasing squad for a few days' break at the National Sports Centre.

"We just thought we would get them away from the norm," said Newell. "The facilities there are second to none, we will be having a game of golf on the Wednesday.

"Really it is just to get away from the mundane things that you do every day.

"It was suggested to me by the chairman (Ken Hodcroft) and we decided to do it. We felt it was the right thing to do to take the players' minds of things."

Pool then travel to Kidderminster on Friday ahead of their important fixture at the Aggborough Stadium the following day.

Skipper Michael Barron remains a doubt for the fixture after missing training yesterday.

Barron had to be replaced by Paul Arnison at half-time against Bournemouth on Saturday.

And Newell said: "He was feeling his hamstrings, although we think it could be an abdominal strain and we are just going to leave it to settle for a few days."

* A tribute has been made to former Pool star Wilson Hepplewhite who passed away in his adopted homeland South Africa on Friday.

Hepplewhite, 56, was part of the first promotion-winning side to come out of Victoria Park during the 1967-68 season.

The Washington-born man suffered a heart attack and close friend Chris Hutchinson, from Billingham, says it is a sad loss.

"At just 56 years old we are all devastated by his death," said Hutchinson, who lived in South Africa for a decade.

"Wilson was an absolute gent. I have nothing but fond memories of the man."

His ashes are to be scattered over Newcastle United's St. James' Park.

Read more about Hartlepool here.