Hignett to step up his Pools plans

Hartlepool United’s countdown to the League Two campaign will step up another notch this week.

Pools will play their final friendlies, at Seaham Red Star and Guisborough Town, tomorrow night and at home to Scunthorpe United on Saturday.

That will then give boss Craig Hignett a full uninterrupted week on the training ground to hone his players ahead of Colchester United’s arrival on Saturday, August 6.

For now, the sole concern of Hignett, whose squad drew 0-0 at Scottish League One club Livingston on Saturday, is getting every member of his squad ready for a week on Saturday.

“I’m mixing and matching at the moment, giving some lads 45, some 60,” Hignett said. “It’s hard to get any pattern or cohesion when you are doing that, but really now is about getting the minutes in the legs for everyone.

“We have two 90 minutes tomorrow then Scunthorpe on Saturday, so when Colchester comes we’ll be ready.”

Hignett was a little frustrated not to have turned a lot of possession at Livingston into goals. “Overall, I was pleased with what I saw,” said Hignett.

“The only disappointing thing was the final third.

“We got into some great positions in the final third but then picked out the wrong choice, or were sloppy with our passes.

“We need to sharpen up, but this is still pre-season.”