HARTLEPOOL United boss Chris Turner last night urged his side to follow the example of centre-back Gary Strodder as they strive to lift themselves up the Third Division table.

The 35-year-old defender has been a model of consistency after returning to action following a four-match suspension at the start of the season.

And that's what Turner is aiming for as his side bid for a return to winning ways after two successive draws against Plymouth and Hull City.

"Gary has been outstanding recently and to be honest, it's usually pretty rare when he has a bad game," said Turner.

"He is dependable and consistent and is a great example for others to follow.

"He always gives 100 per cent and those are the type of qualities I want from all my players.

"Some are blowing hot and cold in games at the moment and it means we are not playing well for the whole 90 minutes.

"That is costing us points with draws and defeats instead of wins. We played excellently last weekend against Plymouth, but only in the first half.

"We should have had the game won with all our chances, but in the second half we didn't play and ended up getting the draw.

"I think we are on the right lines, but we need to be more consistent to get wins and get up the league table.

"I believe we can do it, but the players have got to start achieving it."

Turner knows Leyton Orient are not going to be pushovers today, with the Londoners flying high among the leading sides in the division.

The Pool chief watched them in their Worthington Cup clash with Newcastle and said: "They work pretty hard and are not easy to break down.

"They have got Carl Griffiths up front and he is always a threat having played at the highest level.

"But we will go into the game confident, especially at home where I think we are starting to look comfortable again after the early games in the season.

"We have been playing well and in the last couple of games we are starting to look good again. We battled hard at Hull City and showed a lot of good spirit. I hope we can continue it against Orient."

Turner will have to reshuffle his side after the loss of seven-goal striker Kevin Henderson, who is out with a knee injury.

Fellow frontman Anth Lormor is back in the squad though after a similar injury.

Ian Clark could also figure for the first time this season after recovering from an ankle injury, but keeper Martin Hollund will not figure after suffering a slight reaction to his hernia injury.

"It's nothing serious, but we won't take any risks," said Turner.

"He has just got back in and we have to be careful and not lose him for even longer.

"It's good to have Ian Clark back though and hopefully he might figure at some stage."

Turner bemoaned his side's luck with injuries and admitted it wasn't helping his side's bid to be among the promotion chasers this season.

"When you lose players like Kevin Henderson and Tony Lormor and Michael Barron and Graeme Lee for long periods then it affects you," he added.

"Some clubs can cope like Manchester United, Arsenal and maybe even Liverpool, but not us.

"Everyone is looking for good strikers and good players and you miss them.

"We want to be challenging at the top of the table, but it's not helping when we haven't got a settled side.

"Our luck with injuries has been terrible and I just hope the fans will be patient with us.

"Once we have got our best players back and can have a settled side then I'm sure the lads will start to show what they can do.

"They did it last season and I believe we have only strengthened the side with the likes of Tony Lormor.

"It's just unfortunate that I haven't been able to put out my first-choice side yet.

"I will keep going and hopefully so will the players.