IT’S two games, two clean sheets for Peter Hartley after the central defender was restored to the Hartlepool United side.

Having not played since the opening day of the season when Pools drew at Rochdale, Hartley was handed a chance at Plymouth on Saturday.

Antony Sweeney’s hamstring strain kept him out, meaning a reshuffle for Mick Wadsworth.

Hartley was outstanding in central defence, as Pools recorded a fourth shut-out in five away games this season.

And the former Sunderland reserve captain is now hoping for an extended run in the side, continuing tomorrow against Bradford in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Caretaker boss Wadsworth is looking for a new central defender and, while Burnley’s Chris Lynch has been training briefly with the club and Sheffield Wednesday’s Richard Hinds is a possibility, Hartley’s performance at the weekend means there’s no mad rush to recruit.

“I was hoping for a chance.

I was a bit disappointed not to get one after the Sheffield Wednesday game, because I didn’t even get on the bench when we played Northampton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy,’’ he admitted.

“But I knew if I could work hard in training and get my head down, the coach would recognise me. I’m a bit of a grafter in training and I hope I’ve done enough to stay in.

“I will play anywhere, I’m that type of guy, but I prefer to play centre-half. That was my position when I signed for Sunderland as a nine-yearold, when Peter Reid was there.

“He didn’t recognise me this time, maybe I was a bit young when he was manager.

“I’ve played twice this season and we’ve kept two clean sheets.’’ With away form in stark contrast and a huge improvement on last season’s, Hartley said: “During the summer we put a lot of emphasis on the training ground on frustrating teams and making them run out of ideas. At home it’s up to us to make sure we take the game to the opposition and it leaves us a bit more open.

“Away from home we know we can sit in deep, stay solid and the chances will come. At home we have to be more open and go for it.

“Let’s see what happens on Tuesday, but if we can get a result at home it will give us a real boost.”