Craig Harrison reveals his frustrations at Hartlepool United transfer ban

But the boss is backing his under-pressure Pools players to step up to the plate at Chester tonight.

The club has been placed under a transfer emabargo by the National League, allowing players to leave but none can be added.

It is something that has been hanging over Pools since November - and is set to continue until paperwork issues are resolved behind the scenes at Victoria Park.

Harrison is deeply frustrated by the situation, but he does believe those already in his ranks have it in their capability to turn things around.

Speaking ahead of the trip to the Deva Stadium, he said: “It is frustrating.

“We have players in the team like Nicky featherstone who is in the team after just coming back through necessity. Then you lose Jonathan Franks and Keith Watson.

“It is what it is. We can’t go back on that.

“As staff and players we have to accept the situation for what it is.

“There needs to be a collective responsibility. We are as we are at the moment and we need to improve our performances.

“Of course in an ideal world I’d like to freshen up, but we can’t.

“That is not disrespectful to the players I have, it’s just the reality of the situation.”