IN preparing for life in a new division, Danny Wilson set out to improve the standard of his squad.

By releasing 11 players and signing seven, the Hartlepool United boss is confident he has achieved his aim ahead of this afternoon's opener at Luton Town.

Pools face one of Wilson's former clubs this afternoon and a number of his signings are in line to make their debuts.

"We've made a few new signings and one thing you want to do is raise the bar and the standard of your squad,'' he said.

"You've always got that question about new signings and ask if they will fit into the squad, but there have been no problems at all on that front.

"They have all shown a great desire and work ethic to fit in and be part of what we want to achieve.

"I've said before that we got a little bit lucky last season in terms of suspension and injury and we have added some real strength and cover to the squad this season.

"We try to play football the right way but we are going to get physical games and occasions when it will be tough.

"There will be some tough games to come, make no mistake about it. People say the higher up you go the more football you play, but it's not like that.

"You need that extra bit of power and strength as well - that's the case the higher you go.

"There will be more occasions when teams get the ball down and pass it around, but they have better players to do it so we have to cope with that as well.

"We will have to dig deep at times and last season we did it well when we had to. There are times when you have your backs to the wall and put your bodies on the line. I hope it's not too often, but you have to be ready for it.''

Luton yesterday signed their ninth new recruit of the summer in former Norwich striker Paul McVeigh.