AWARD-winner Adam Boyd is in bullish mood ahead of a big double header for Hartlepool United.

Pool meet Brentford in the FA Cup at Victoria Park on Saturday, then host League One leaders Luton next Tuesday.

Saturday's winners will go to Southampton in round five, Tuesday's winners will be in a strong position for the promotion run-in.

Pool have never reached the last 16 of the Cup before and, with the gap closing on Luton, are in with a serious shout of promotion to the Championship.

Boyd, with 19 goals this season, has been awarded the Powerade player-of-the-month award for January.

And he said: "We've got Brentford on Saturday and the lads are all buzzing.

"We're 12 games unbeaten and just want to carry that on and get into the next round.

"We keep winning and if we keep on going the way we are there is no reason why we can't push the top two - it's a realistic shout.

"I think they've started to struggle a little bit but we've got to keep on doing what we are doing, otherwise we've got no chance.

"So we've got to keep plugging away and hope they slip up."

Pool's front line was strengthened last week when targetman Jon Daly arrived from Stockport.

The striker is in line for a place on the bench next Tuesday - he's cup tied on Saturday - and Boyd added: "It gives us four forwards now, which every side needs, especially at this stage of the season.

"I think we were a bit thin on the ground with just me and Joel, and Eifion has been a little bit ill lately, so he's a welcome addition to the squad."

Victoria Park could be a sell-out on Saturday. The game is not all-ticket, but under 900 remain and fans are advised to buy in advance.

Brentford have sold their near-1,000 allocation.

Read more about Hartlepool here.