Hartlepool United boss Craig Hignett does not want York City to be relegated

Pools could put the strugglers closer to the drop to the National League by winning tomorrow’s derby.

Jackie McNamara’s side are nine points from safety, effectively 10 given their goal difference.

York need a greater escape than Ronnie Moore pulled off with Pools 12 months ago.

They look condemned – they have not won in 11 games and probably need maximum points in their remaining five fixtures to give themselves any sort of chance.

York will therefore arrive in town tomorrow desperate for the win against a side now as safe as houses.

It’s all a far cry from just six weeks ago when Pools were a mere two points above York and in grave danger.

“The run we’ve had has taken us right out of it,” said Hignett. “We’re in a different place to where York are, thankfully.

“They need to win games – they have needed to win games for the last 10, 11 matches.

“There is a gap there between them and Stevenage and it will be tough ask for them.

“York are a local club and I’d love to see them stay in the league but there will be no favours.”

Hignett says there can be no sympathy on the field and wants Pools to finish the season on a high.

“The nature of their situation won’t affect how we approach the match,” he said. “We’ll approach it in the same way as we do every game and there’ll be no end-of-season feel about us.

“The only thing I might do is look at a couple of players.

“We had a couple of tired legs on Tuesday night but that’s something for me to decide after I’ve seen the lads train.

“There are players there or thereabouts I want to see in a proper game.

“But after Tuesday night, I want to win and finish the season well.”

Pools are involved in meaningful matches from now until the end of the season.

They follow the confrontation with York with matches against promotion hopefuls Accrington (H), Oxford (A), Portsmouth (H) and Plymouth (A).

“We have games against teams going for promotion,” said Hignett.

“We’ll have a say in who goes up or gets in the play-offs.

“But, similar to tomorrow, we won’t be doing any favours.

“I’ll try a few things and people in those games so my mind is 100% sure about what I do in the summer.”