AS one of the elder statesmen of the Hartlepool United squad, Ritchie Humphreys has a big role to play during the current difficulties at Victoria Park.

But aside from assisting caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth with coaching duties, alongside youth team coach Micky Barron, Humphreys still has a job to do on the pitch too.

Niggling knee and Achilles injuries have dogged him since pre-season and a nonplaying sub’s spot at Yeovil last weekend and in midweek against Wigan are the closest he’s had to a firstteam run-out.

Against Sheffield Wednesday at Victoria Park this afternoon, Humphreys would love the chance to face the club where he emerged through the youth ranks in 1996.

While Pools are without a permanent manager, since Chris Turner’s exit last week, Humphreys has stepped up to help Wadsworth.

“I’m pleased I played in the reserves and got on the bench at the weekend and obviously again on Tuesday,’’ he said.

“Micky Barron was helping out again in the warm-up, which was great.

“It’s unfortunate with the way the circumstances were but Mick has asked me to help out and I’m more than delighted because I’ve been at this football club a long time and it means a lot to me.

“I was sad to see Chris (Turner) and Russ (Green) go. I saw what Sam Collins put in the papers at the weekend and he is absolutely right, they did tremendous work for this football club on and off the pitch between them throughout the years.

“I’ve known them for the whole time I’ve been here and will continue to stay in contact with them because they are really good people.’’ The Humphreys and Sheffield Wednesday tale has long been told, but after moving to Pools in 2001, he’s hoping for a testimonial at Victoria Park next year.

But a run-out this afternoon wouldn’t go amiss.

“If I’m on the bench at the weekend I would love to get on and play against my former club,’’ he said.

“Myself and Sweens and Boydy still have memories of Cardiff (2005 play-off final) and so does the whole town.

“We know we were so close and now we are trying to get back up to the position we were in in 2005.

“It’s an important game.

They’ve started quite well and recruited some good players for our division, so they will have ideas of going straight back up to the Championship.

“If we can beat them we will go above them in the league and that would be an excellent start.’’ Humphreys has taken the pre-match warm up this season, even before Turner’s departure, and the 32-yearold, who needs 21 more appearances to become the club’s all-time record-holder, is enjoying his dual role.

“First and foremost, what we have done up to and including Tuesday night has been quite solid,’’ he reflected.

“We’ve been wellorganised and we’ve looked a threat as well, which is good.

“The lads who’ve come in have been great. Evan’s (Horwood) quality from some of his set plays is there for all to see and he looks very cultured on the ball.

“He has fitted in outstandingly well and the same with Paul Murray.

“I played with Paul for England Under-21s years ago now and he has had some bad injuries but he is experienced and good at breaking things down and it has given Tony Sweeney the licence to make forward runs.

“I’d like to know how many bursts forward he has made in every game we’ve played this season.

“His energy is fantastic and obviously we haven’t seen Fabian (Yantorno) yet, but when he is fit hopefully we will see more of him.

“I’ll play wherever I’m asked, as always.

“Obviously I’ve got to get properly match fit and when I’m asked to do a job, wherever and in whatever role, I’ll try my best to do that.”

Former Pools midfielder Tommy Miller is likely to be on the bench for Wednesday after recovering from injury.

He has yet to face Pools in a competitive games since leaving Victoria Park in 2002.

“Hartlepool is a great club and I owe them a lot,’’ he said.

“It will be nice to go back and, hopefully, I’ll be involved.

“I’ve had an injury setback, but hopefully I’ll be able to play some part.’’