Hartlepool United ‘in good shape’ heading into crucial play-off eliminator against Bromley with updates of Luke Armstrong and Jamie Sterry

Pools’ season is on the line for their first play-off campaign in over 16 years as Dave Challinor looks to guide the club back to the Football League in his first full season in charge.

To do that, Hartlepool will have to beat Bromley on Sunday. Thankfully, Challinor has a near full-strength squad to choose from as it stands.

“We’re in good shape,” he told The Mail. “We’re probably no different to everyone else in the play-offs.

"We’ve got some lads who haven’t trained as much this week who we are managing and may train today but may not tomorrow in order to be ready for Sunday.

"That will be the case, hopefully, for the next three weeks. Now it’s about what will hopefully be three huge games and having our players fit for those games is going to be vitally important.”

Ben Killip (elbow) and Joe Grey (back) are long term absentees but Luke Armstrong is expected to return after missing last weekend due to illness. Right-back Jamie Sterry is also expected to start despite being withdrawn at half-time in the 4-0 home win against Weymouth.

“Luke trained straight away on Tuesday when we came back in so he’s fine,” Challinor added.

“It was just a 24 hour thing with him and the changing weather there are little bits flying around but nothing serious.

"I’m bunged up a little bit but I’m always bunged up to be fair! We’ve got a few lads with sniffles and colds but nothing that will keep them out of what is a massive game for us.

“Jamie will train [Thursday] morning but we have to manage him. He could have completed the game on Saturday and probably would have if it was our last game of the season.

"With the circumstances, we’ve given him a bit more time to recover so he’ll be fine as well.

“It’s been a long season but we’ll welcome the next three weeks hopefully because if that’s the case we’re getting closer to where our dreams and ambitions are.”

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