JOEL Porter is Hartlepool United’s main doubt for tomorrow’s relegation encounter at Crewe.

The striker suffered a groin strain as he took his tally to 21 for the season in helping Pools to a vital win over Hereford last weekend.

But tomorrow’s game at Gresty Road is of equal importance, with both sides in need of salvation in their scrap to escape the bottom four.

Pools host Scunthorpe on Easter Monday and two games in three days may be too much for the Aussie.

Away form has been poor for Pools this season and, with three away games to come, Porter appreciates the need for improvement.

Pools enjoyed four points from back to back away games in February, results which gave some breathing space.

“Although six weeks ago we came away with a win at Swindon and a draw at Colchester which were great results, we didn’t think we were out of it,’’ admitted Porter.

“Now it’s shown we are definitely not out of it and we are going to have to put everything behind us to try to get away from that bottom four.’’ The nadir of Pools’ displays away from Victoria Park came in the loss at Cheltenham in March, a 2-0 reverse which was described by Chris Turner as “shocking”.

“A lot has been said about that Cheltenham game and if you look at our record this season, our away record is not the best anyway,’’ admitted Porter.

“We lost to the bottom side 2-0 away from home and people keep harping on about it.

“There were certain players on the day, including myself, who didn’t have the best of games and we can’t harp on that and think ‘jeez I hope we don’t have another one like that’.

“You have got to forget that one and realise during a season of 46 games you will get two or three bad uns.

“That just happened to be one at a bad time of the season against a team who were just below us.

“We’ve got to get over that and we’ve played well since and before.

“We’ve just got to continue what we’re doing. We know we have got the players to perform at higher level.’’