Hartlepool United manager relishing the prospect of Boxing Day's visit of Scunthorpe United
Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone is relishing the prospect of Boxing Day's visit of play-off chasing Scunthorpe.
Two former Football League clubs vying for a return to the big time are set to collide on Friday in a game that could have huge significance in the race for the top seven.
Having worked so hard to give themselves a fighting chance of challenging for the play-offs during Feathestone's spell in interim charge, Pools have failed to win either of their two National League matches since he was appointed as permanent manager until the end of the season.
Indeed, Pools passed up the chance to climb into the top seven for the first time since September after they failed to beat strugglers Braintree last time out.
In all likelihood, Pools can only realistically hope to reel in either seventh-placed Southend, who are just a point clear of Featherstone's side but have two games in hand, or Scunthorpe, who are sixth but have opened up a nine-point cushion.
If Pools are to have any chance of finishing above the Iron, then, Friday's game feels like one they really need to win.
Yet Featherstone's side will kick-off in the midst of a challenging run that's seen them fail to win any of their last three matches, scoring just once in that time.
For their part, Scunthorpe have been enjoying a remarkable season under Andy Butler, a former teammate of Featherstone's, having only won promotion from the National League North via the play-offs last term.
Of course, Pools will be well aware that defeat on Boxing Day would represent a major blow in their pursuit of a play-off place but Featherstone has also been at pains to stress that three points would serve as a real reminder of their promotion credentials.
"It's a really good fixture," the Pools boss told the official club website.
"We've got two really good sets of fans, passionate fans who want to see their clubs back in the Football League, these are two well-supported teams.
"History suggests this is an EFL fixture, so for us it's one we're really looking forward to.
"It's a test for us, but also a good chance to see where we're at in terms of the other teams in and around us in the play-offs."