DAVE Challinor can sense the focus within his Hartlepool United squad.

Pools are back at Victoria Park tomorrow, facing Ebbsfleet, on the back of two impressive away displays at Boreham Wood and Solihull Moors.

A four-point return has put Pools right in the play-off mix and, while tomorrow’s opposition are third bottom, the focus remains the same.

The manager said: “We spoke about the last two games and they were big opportunities and that doesn’t change no matter who you play, it’s about enhancing our chances but no-one is daft enough to think because we are playing a team not doing so well that things are nailed on. Everyone needs to realise that and it’s the same for supporters.

“We may need to be patient and I hope we don’t and it’s wide open and expansive, but I feel it will be tough and they are scrapping for their lives and need to start picking wins up.

“It’s about not getting caught up in the position we are in now and we have to be focused and as good as the last two results have been, this is a different one and we go with an intent and purpose to win the game.

“I don’t need to tell the players, they know where we are and what we need to do. The hard work we have been doing has been the right way to get results.

“We need to be positive and trust what we have got within the group and take care of what we do. If we win and then other results go for us, then brilliant.

Macauley Southam-Hailes could be absent tomorrow.

The right back, impressive since signing on loan from Fleetwood, was briefly knocked out in the closing stages of Tuesday’s victory at Solihull Moors.

Challinor said: “Macca might be taken out of our hands in terms of protocols. He’s fine with no symptoms of concussion.

“Apart from that there’s nothing else after the game so I don’t envisage any problems.

“Winning games and performing well means that niggles don’t affect players as much as they normally would.’’