Hartlepool will be bidding to equal a club record when they travel take on Darlington at Feethams this afternoon.

Chris Turner's side can equal Gus McLean's 17 game unbeaten run, set in 1968, if they can avoid defeat.

Assistant manager Colin West is well aware of how big this game means to the supporters.

"The players don't need motivating for this game. We're on a good run and looking to continue it," said West.

"We will take 2,000 fans and the players know what it means to them.

"The supporters have been brilliant lately."

Pool will welcome back skipper Michael Barron for the short trip across the A66 after the defender missed the midweek draw with Rochdale through suspension.

Tony Lormor, who came off the bench to grab a late equaliser in that game is expected to replace Craig Midgley in the Pool attack.

Darlington boss Gary Bennett has called on his team to rise to the occasion for Saturday's big derby against high-flying Hartlepool at Feethams.

The Quakers lost to Pool back in October and since then both sides have headed towards opposite ends of the table.

But in these kind of games, form counts for nothing and Bennett believes his side must show the kind of fighting spirit which can win games of this importance.

"We didn't perform at Hartlepool earlier in the season and we didn't have our strongest team out," said Bennett.

"We know what's at stake this time. It's a massive game and the form book goes out of the window.

"We know what it means to the supporters and also to our league position. The players who go out on the field must be prepared to battle, because there's a lot of pride at stake."

Striker Kirk Jackson, who scored on his debut in last week's 2-0 win at Carlisle, is expected to partner Clint Marcelle up front and Paul Campbell should step in for the recently departed Stuart Elliott, who joined Plymouth this week.

Former Sunderland pair Brian Atkinson and Martin Gray are still struggling to shake off injuries. Paul Heckingbottom, Gary Himsworth and Frank Van Der Geest are definitely out.

DARLINGTON v HARTLEPOOL HEAD TO HEAD

PLAYED 137

DARLINGTON WON 55

HARTLEPOOL WON 57

DRAWN 25

KEY MAN

Kirk Jackson - The youngster enjoyed a scoring debut in last week's win at Carlisle and this will undoubtedly be the biggest game he has ever played in.

PREDICTION

With none of the 'big three' in action this weekend, this the north-east 'match of the day' and it should be a cracker. Pride will play a huge part in this derby and neither side will want to lose. It's sure to be frantic and this could well work in favour of the home side.

2-1 to the Quakers