Walton and Baldwin - Pools new boys

Judged by the League One table, Hartlepool United have a bigger need for new blood than any other club, yet with the January transfer window about to close, they have hardly been busy in the market.

Boss John Hughes says he is keen to make a signing or two, though there is a theory that he has two new players anyway in Jack Baldwin and Simon Walton.

Baldwin has made a massive impact in midfield in the last two games, scoring in each of them and looking as if he is a natural, despite the fact that his previous experience has been in the middle of the defence.

And Simon Walton looks a new player, too. He had an awful start to the season and became a target for the Pools boo boys, but he appears to have won over the fans, and has certainly won over the boss.

"He was applauded off the other night against Bournemouth, I was delighted about it,'' Hughes told the Northern Echo. "He is getting fitter with games and he is training hard.

"He needs more 90 minutes to build up fitness, but if the hamstring goes after an hour because I've played him too long, it's not good management, but I keep asking if he can do it.

"He can get on the ball and run the show.”

But Hughes insists he wants to make signings. “We are looking at the forward and a midfielder,” he said. “But it's about the right ones.

"I've banged the drum about this and we need someone good enough to play in the first team and enhance it.

"There's a focus and determination to stay up, I want a player who can step in with experience and has a drive and desire to drag us forward."

After last weekend’s win at Portsmouth, Pools have chalked up seven points from three away games on the trot, and that is the sort of form that could keep them up.

But they need to sort things at at home, and they have a chance on Saturday when Notts County, on the fringes of the promotion race, are the visitors.