MARCUS Richardson is relishing the return of Gordon Watson to the Hartlepool United forward line - because he's sure it will help bring out the best in him.

The big striker hit two in Saturday's 3-1 win over Oxford at Victoria Park and while tonight's game at Macclesfield will be too soon for Watson as he recovers from a broken leg, his return can't come soon enough.

Pool go to Moss Rose aiming to make it five wins in a row and extend their advantage at the top of the Division Three tree to five points.

And Richardson, who gave his best performance of the season at the weekend, admitted: "I haven't been scoring as many as I should have, but the team has been winning and that's the important thing.

"People are scoring from all over and I have been contributing by working hard.

"You have got to be on your toes at this club as a striker because there are some good strikers here who I feel are all capable of coming on and scoring.

"I don't feel under any pressure at all. Having Gordon Watson coming back is great for everyone at the club because he is a quality player.

"Competition for places is all part of the job and it's up to me. If I don't keep performing then he deserves his chance when he is fit.''

After tonight, Pool go to Cambridge on Saturday before entertaining Torquay on February 1 and Richardson added: "I've got both my old clubs to play in the next couple of weeks and it would be superb to keep on scoring against them.''

Ritchie Humphreys joined Richardson on the scoresheet on Saturday, thanks to a stunning volley from 20-yards.

He added: "Everyone is enjoying their football at the moment. Saturday was an important win because it keeps the gap between us and the chasing pack a healthy one.

"Tuesday is our game in hand on some clubs then on Saturday we go to Cambridge and Rushden play Oxford so, if we don't lose and a couple of other results go our way, things could be looking very good.''

Boss Mike Newell must decide whether to bring Graeme Lee back into the starting line-up after he missed out at the weekend because of suspension.

Jon Bass deputised and Newell said: "He came in and did well. But I've got a dressing room full of players like that who want to play.

"We won on Saturday and it's about having a good squad. There's 19 games left and we are going to need all of our players. It's about players coming in and taking their chance.

"Look at Ritchie Humphreys, he has played in the middle and is now out wide and does he look out of position? He was really bright on Saturday and struck his goal well.''

"Now we go to Macclesfield and we don't want to waste the good work from Saturday.''

Pool (from): A Williams, Barron, Lee, Westwood, Robinson, Clarke, Tinkler, Richardson, Humphreys, E Williams, Richardson, Bass, Henderson, Sweeney, Boyd, Smith, Easter, Provett.

* Macclesfield manager Dave Moss is hoping Michael Welch and Lee Martin recover from illness.

They missed Saturday's draw with Bournemouth after contracting a virus and there are also doubts over Danny Whitaker and Darren Tinson, with leg and groin injuries respectively.

* Tomorrow's reunion of the 1991 promotion team at the Corner Flag to mark the tenth anniversary of the supporters' association HQ is a sell out.

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