TRAINING may have been disrupted for Hartlepool United again this week, but there’s little chance of their Boxing Day trip to Huddersfield being called off.

The Maiden Castle training ground was again out of bounds for Mick Wadsworth and his charges, again forcing them indoors.

Sunday’s venue boasts undersoil heating, so the game at the Galpharm Stadium should go ahead.

It will mean a return to one of his former hunting grounds for Wadsworth.

He was in control of the Terriers during one of their most difficult times, in the 2002/3 season when they dropped into administration.

Now, however, with Lee Clark in charge it’s a different story for the promotion chasers.

“We just do what we can with the weather. We get as much done as possible, but it’s difficult in terms of constructive work, tactics and trying to counteract what Huddersfield will do,’’ admitted Wadsworth.

“They are probably training on their heated pitch as we speak while we are frozen off!

“It’s tough for us, but fair play to them for having those sort of facilities.

“The stadium was built when they were pushing for the Premier League, spending a lot of money. I know from personal experience all about it. I had the backlash as I was there when it all went horribly and terribly wrong.’’ Wadsworth, confirmed in charge until the end of the season, recalled: “Administration came, players weren’t paid for months and it was very difficult. They are through it now, have a new, affluent owner and are trying to reach a higher level at which they feel they deserve to be.

“With the crowds they get, you couldn’t argue with it.

“I kept my dignity when I was there and in a perverse sense I came through a very tough period for club. I lost my job through administration, I kept my head in a situation that happened for financial reasons.

“But then on the other side of it the likes of (Jon) Worthington, (Jon) Stead, (David) Mirfin all came into the first team because we had to play them. We couldn’t sign anyone, the club was in a real danger of going under, that’s how serious it became.

“It was tough times, but I am used to them I suppose.

“It was spiralling out of control and it wasn’t easy. But I put everything – good, bad or indifferent – down to experience and it makes you a better individual for the final chapter.’’ He added: “This club is a stable one, very well run. I think the progress made in the last decade is fantastic and it should be recognised, it’s a good place to work and I’m enjoying it immensely.’’ Wadsworth has engineered some turnaround at Victoria Park. Gone is the losing mentality that dogged the side in recent seasons.

Pools have only conceded six times in ten away games in League One and have recorded four victories.

“We have made progress, I always felt the team would,’’ he admitted. “Hopefully we can carry it on, but you could get through this period and think ‘flippin heck’ and who knows where you are.

“It’s about improvement and making sure we establish ourselves in this division for next season. Anything above that, let’s see what we can do.

“I always felt we would get better. Even at the start of the season, we did feel we would get better, more organised and a tough nut to crack.

“To a degree it’s happened.

We always had a worry about scoring goals, but that has been alleviated because of a team effort and we’ve got goals from all over.”

Pools won their last away match 1-0 at Bournemouth.

They had the same result in the previous encounter at Tranmere.

In front of an expected 20,000 crowd on Sunday, Wadsworth will also be up against a manager he knows all about – former Newcastle and Sunderland midfielder Lee Clark.

“I’ve known Lee since he was a youngster, I’ve always had a lot of time for him. He’s a bright boy and has taken to management, this is a great opportunity for him,’’ he said.

“Lee was a really good playmaker, who could pick the last pass. In Argentina or Brazil he would be a No 10, he could play his passes and score.

“Those players come in two categories – one, they do it and don’t know how they do it, and two they do it and think about it and understand it and he is one of those.

“He has strong principles on how the game should be played and he has surrounded himself with people he can rely on and work off. It’s a tough one but we can go there and enjoy it.’’