JOHN Askey insists Hartlepool United are "stable" and well positioned to bounce back from relegation at the first time of asking, despite Raj Singh putting the club up for sale this week.

Askey says Singh has reassured him that the club "is going to be fine" and the manager - who plans to still be in charge for the start of next season - has been told he'll get the backing this summer that will help the club in a promotion push.

The boss says the most important thing now is ensuring the right person is found to take charge of the club going forward.

Pools are six points adrift of Crawley with two games to play and an inferior goal difference and although it would take the most unlikely turnaround, Askey says he hasn't completely given up hope of staying up this season.

But he knows in all probability it will be the National League next term for Hartlepool and says he's been assured the club can cope with relegation.

"I think the club is still stable," he told BBC Tees.

"When we go into the following season I still think the club is in a position where it can bounce back or, if we're in the Football League, still improve on this season.

"Whatever league we find ourselves in, I still think as a club, despite the chairman saying he's selling the club, he's also said he'll maintain the finances of the club, so we don't have to worry about that.

"On that score, he's reassured me as long as he's here the club is going to be fine."

If Singh is still in charge this summer, Askey says he's been promised that he'll be backed.

"Yeah, that's what he's said," said Askey.

"Since he's come in that has been the case with the club.

"I've been in three or four clubs now where this situation has arisen. I can assure the supporters the club is in pretty safe hands.

"If somebody does come in, the most important thing is the right person is found. Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for.

"From my point of view, I feel quite confident that things will be at my disposal that I can do my job properly."

Pools host Barrow on Saturday (3pm) knowing they need to win to maintain any hopes of a miracle survival, while also requiring Crawley to lose at home to Walsall.

Askey said: "We're relying on Walsall to beat Crawley but stranger things have happened. While we have a chance we have to do our job properly and fight, roll our sleeves up and show what it means."