Ex-Sunderland winger Luke Molyneux delivers verdict on Dave Challinor's Hartlepool United play-off target

Molyneux and his Hartlepool United teammates had a free weekend after the trip to Solihull Moors was postponed due to Storm Dennis, with the squad returning to training today ahead of the visit of Notts County on Saturday.

The former Sunderland winger, who grabbed a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win over Aldershot Town the week prior, recently returned from injury.

The 21-year-old missed the entire first half of the season due to a troublesome foot injury.

But he’s now back and looking forward to a positive end to the campaign, with Pools four points off the top seven and a play-off spot.

Molyneux said: “We need to get on a bit of a run, the gaffer was saying how many games preferably we should win to get into the play-offs.

“There are 12 games left and he was looking for us to get eight wins, which is quite steep, but we’re capable of it with the squad we’ve got.

“It’s good to know we’re still around there to put pressure on other teams as well.”

On Molyneux’s return to the fold at Pools, boss Dave Challinor said: “I think Luke could've been pushed earlier.

“But I wasn't going to put him in 20 mins here 20 mins there.

“Fortunately for him circumstances had it due to injuries etc that he was thrown back into the team quicker than I would've wanted him to.

“It’s not that he couldn't but I wanted him to have some more time on the grass to come back in.”

Challinor added: “It's still about working hard and doing the extra bits to get into a position where he can go at the complete 90 minutes at the intensity we want him to and that will be a gradual process but the games and tempo and intensity will do him the world of good.”