TWO GAMES to go this season, one home, one away. One in front of almost 1,200 fans dressed as knights, one in front of visiting fans who hope to win the league.

Hartlepool United are at Barrow today, before taking on second-placed Salford City on Saturday.

Pools travel to Barrow in jovial spirits. Good Friday’s win over Halifax was entertaining. Today’s game will be played out in front of the annual final away game fancy dress carnival.

Clowns last year, knights this time around.

Boss Craig Hignett joked: “Monday should be fun, we set off on horseback Sunday night and take us overnight to get there which isn’t ideal but we’ve had longer trips this season so I’m sure the lads will cope!

“I always look forward to it. Only one was spoiled, the Stormtroopers at Plymouth was an anti-climax for me and if I had a lightsaber I would have probably used it. [Pools lost 5-0 at Home Park in 2016]

“I think they will look brilliant – we have over 1,100 going. The fans are phenomenal, and I’m glad we gave them something to go over with.’’

Pools boss Hignett has one eye on next season and reshaping his squad for next season.

He said: “We are talking to players, it’s a tough time as we have games left. Trying to talk to players and agents and there’s always something on the horizon… well come here where you can be playing every week and be loved. Add to the squad with the right players and we can compete next season.

“We need the right characters here, because we don’t have money to waste on one player. Every single penny has to be value.

“I want us to compete, no pressure on anyone. We are all ambitious, me, chairman, the club. But we don’t have the kind of money some have in this league. We can recruit properly, add better players to what we have and build something to get it right.

“We know who we want, the type of player we want, but the hard bit is getting them. Everyone wants the players to get you out of the league. We are a big club in this league, we aren’t able to pay the biggest wages, but we have to find the right words and the right reasons to get them.’’

He added: “I think we are going to have to play different ways and I want enough weapons to do that. I want players quick on the counter-attack, more to add to that too.

“Power, pace, size – you need it all in this league. Watch Salford come here and they have changed their outlook and have decided on a way to get out of the league. We will have to go to places at times and keep possession to kill games, other times to defend well and play on the break.

“We’ve not the biggest budget, but we have to be savvy about players – who is coming and why they want to come here. We have had plans for months and we wanted to do it before, it’s constant and doesn’t stop.

“Teams have games to play and things to play for and won’t give answers. Maybe in the next week we can start talking to people but I want it all done for the start of pre-season….’’