HARTLEPOOL United's promotion dream is within touching distance - but there will be no signs of nerves in the dressing room this afternoon.

Pool go Scunthorpe with everything to play for. Promotion is all but assured, all they need is a point, and the title is in their own hands.

The long-term leaders have put their recent dry spell to bed, with last week's 4-1 thumping of Orient signalling a return to form.

And boss Mike Newell revealed a calming influence in the dressing room was the key.

Defender Chris Westwood, named as the supporters' away player of the year in midweek, isn't one to get hyped up before the game and admitted: "I'm not one of those who goes around shouting and screaming anyway.

"Some of the lads do and try to get others up for it, I'm just one who gets on with his own thing and when the whistle goes, that's it.

"Before a few of the recent games there had been a lot of shouting and screaming going on then when we went out there it was a bit flat.

"So last week we were a bit more relaxed, we had the music on and went out there and started the game really well.

"Hendo is one of those who gets really fired up before the game, but then there's someone like Tommy Widdrington who is a talker, one of the thinkers in the dressing room.

"He's always saying things about the lads, talking about the game and what people will be doing.

"To be honest, I like to listen to them and see what they all have to say, but Tommy is very constructive.

"Saturday is a massive day for us all, but I will just be doing my normal thing.''

Another regular feature of Pool's preparation this season has been the pre-match huddle.

Newell's side have done it before every game this season and Westwood added: "That came about as a bit of a wind-up to the other team. It was like we were showing them we were up for it and it carried on from there.

"Now we have stuck by it and it hasn't done us any harm.''

Pool will be backed by around 2,000 fans today, only 200 tickets remain for away fans and they will be on sale from Glanford Park.

"It will be great to have that many fans, let's hope it is a party atmosphere," said Westwood.

"People want promotion, but now if we don't win the title as well it might be a bit of an anti-climax for a lot of people.

"We've been top for so long, it would be hard if we don't win it.

"I had a supporter come up to me the other day and he was saying 'what's happened, you were 14 points clear the other week'?

"So I told him we were so many points clear because Rushden weren't winning all their games.

"If we were winning and moving further ahead then Rushden were either drawing or losing.

"When we hit a sticky spell they started winning again. They were doing to us what we were doing to them a couple of weeks before.

"Now if that had happened earlier in the season it would not have mattered, but because it's been towards the end of the season people start to panic and worry.

"This supporter then said 'Aah, but you were 14 points clear' - what can we do about it now? I'm sure if he reads this then he knows who he is!''

Pool have back-to-back home games to follow, Rochdale on Easter Monday before Shrewsbury visit a week today.

Newell was at Spotland to watch Rochdale take on Bury yesterday and Westwood added: "We are in with a great chance of winning the league, it's what everyone wants. Four games left and we are ready for it.

"Some people say Rushden have the easier run-in, but Carlisle won't be easy then they have Macclesfield on Monday at home and they are a much better team away from home.

"But we know we've got to win our games and then there is nothing to worry about.''

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