HARTLEPOOL United are embarking on a huge week which could shape their season - and their future.

With home games to come against Bristol Rovers tomorrow and York on Friday, Pool could again have a healthy advantage at the top of Division Three by the weekend.

But how long they can hold on to Chris Turner is another matter.

Turner was again linked with a move to Sheffield Wednesday over the weekend. Saturday's defeat at Watford put more pressure on boss Terry Yorath and defeats this week by Millwall on Wednesday and Derby on Saturday could trigger a managerial change.

And Northern Echo Sport understands Wednesday fan Turner is at the top of the wanted list - a job he is likely to find hard to turn down if the Hillsborough board come calling.

Turner has also been among the names put forward for vacant jobs at Stoke, Ipswich and Sunderland this season and recently admitted: "It's flattering to see my name in the frame - I must be doing something right here! But until I am told otherwise I am manager of Hartlepool United.''

Friday's 1-0 win at Southend was Pool's ninth of the season - more than anyone else in the Division - and gave Pool a six-point lead over their rivals.

While Bournemouth reduced the gap to three on Saturday, Turner was full of praise for the rocks on which his success has been built.

Graeme Lee and Chris Westwood have been outstanding this season - Westwood leads the way in The Northern Echo player of the year ratings - and Turner said: "Both are very capable of playing at a higher level.

"As a pairing they complement each other - one has the pace and the other has the extra height - Spike Lee never missed a header all night on Friday.

"And when we need them they are very strong as a pairing. They have played together for a while now and they understand each other's game and have a good relationship.

The pair have been ever present this season, as Turner switches between a three and four-man defence and Pool boast the best goal difference in the division.

"You need a good backbone to your team,'' added Turner, who will make a swift return to Southend on November 16 after they were paired in Saturday's FA Cup draw.

"That's your goalkeeper, right through the centre of the team and that's what we have got.

"It helps to combat any team who are going to get the ball wide and put plenty of balls into the penalty area. This team can dig in and play it tight when needed. They showed that by keeping a clean sheet again away from home. We can defend, we can defend a lead and we can also attack teams.''

And after Marcus Richardson teed up Eifion Williams for his eighth of the season Turner admitted: "Marcus did a lot of work up front, holding the ball up and taking the flak from defenders. I think he has surprised everyone - even me - with how well he has settled into the team.

"But for me they were all heroes on Friday night. They all had to dig in and get us the result we wanted. I want to average two points from every game.

Read more about Hartlepool here.