Matthew Bates provides Hartlepool selection update as he hails professional approach of summer signing

The centre-half has been a revelation for Pools in the last two games, producing arguably his best show in blue and white in aiding the back three to the club’s first clean sheet of the season against Chesterfield on Monday.

And Bates says the player is the epitome of professionalism, on and off the park.

“Myles has done well. He didn’t play a lot of games last year,” said Bates.

“He was out the majority of last season with a concussion, which is a freak one really.

“It was just a bang but he was out eight weeks.

“He is a top pro is Myles - he is the first in and the last out. Does all of his work well.

“He is a fit, fit lad. Some players like to play games, some don’t.

“As a player I liked to go Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday and Myles might be a bit like that.

“Some players’ bodies don’t like it, but it is down to the individual.”

Anderson was part of an unchanged starting XI for Pools over the bank holiday weekend - many of whom completed two 90 minute performances in just 48 hours.

Has the weekend that was taken it out of the players ahead of the trip to Havant and Waterlooville?

When asked about his selection issues ahead of Saturday’s Hampshire trip, he said: “So far, touch wood, we do not have nay niggles from Monday.

“It always helps when you win. The lads are playing well, they’re on the up. You always feel things more when things aren’t going your way.

“The lads are fresh. We have the majority of the squad available, bar Andrew (Davies) and possibly Luke (Williams).”