BACK HOME!

After two gruelling awaydays, Hignett is delighted to be back on home turf for the first half of their London double.

Pools host the Wombles at Victoria Park on Friday before heading down the A1 again on Monday to play Leyton Orient.

Hignett’s side are on a four-match unbeaten run and the boss insists the contribution of the fans will be vital to them extending it to five.

“It’s great to be back home,” said Hignett.

“When it’s packed there is no better place than the Vic.

“It makes for an unbelievable atmosphere.

“It’s great support for our players, they can really push our lads on, and it can be hostile for the opposition.

“It’s great to see numbers pushing up.

“We had the best part of 4,000 Poolies here for the Dagenham game and then we had over 200 fans at Crawley.

“We’d had a good turnout on a Tuesday night at Newport as well, the support is fabulous.

“We have to do our part by winning matches and making us exciting to watch.

“The last two home games against Northampton and Dagengham have been exciting to watch and the fans have been right behind us.

“The challenge for the players is to keep our little run going, to keep playing in the way we are playing.

“My message to the fans is keep coming, keep getting behind the ls – it makes a positive difference.”

The Pools squad have clocked up the best part of 1,200 miles in the last two matches – 0-0 draws at Newport County and Crawley.

Hignett says he is looking forward to an afternoon at the Vic and an evening in front of the TV.

“Every trip is a long one, Leyton Orient will be the fourth we’ve made in a couple of weeks,” said the 46-year-old.

“Home games are a bonus for us, the chance to win three points.

“I’ll be happy sat at home at 8pm on a Saturday watching the telly and relaxing.”

There is a chance Rob Jones will be on the bus with them for the journey to Brisbane Road.

But Hignett admits he is unlikely to be fit to take on the Wombles.

The giant defender has not played since getting a bang on the head in the 3-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge.

The luckless 36-year-old had enjoyed a tremendous debut in the 3-1 win at Barnet earlier this month.

However, the ex-Hibernian, Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster Rovers centre-half has missed the last two games.

“He’s better, there’s been an improvement,” said Hignett. “He has an appointment to see a specialist [today].

“Friday may come too soon for him but hopefully he can train tomorrow and we’ll take things from there.”