THREE games to go and Chris Turner has admitted Ritchie Humphreys could have a different role to play in the final weeks of the season.

Hartlepool United, according to Turner, need one more win to make sure of League One safety.

With top scorer Joel Porter struggling to be fit for Saturday’s trip to relegation rivals Yeovil, Turner has loan strikers Daniel Nardiello and Keigan Parker in his plans.

But Humphreys, who has spent the last four seasons at left-back, could be asked to return to the job he did when he first signed for Pools in 2001.

In those days, he was a striker. Now, 408 appearances later, an advanced role is an option.

“Bringing Joe Scarz in has allowed us to take Ritchie away from left back – he can play in a number of different roles for us now as good cover,’’ admitted Turner.

“I put him on the for last few minutes at Crewe on Saturday in an advanced role to try and keep the ball up the top end a little bit more than we had been doing.

“I think also for Ritchie, and I’ve had a good chat with him about it, but he doesn’t feel comfortable at left back.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t really had that cover or player to come in and release him from the job.

“Matty Robson is more of an attacking player and now we have brought Joe in, we have eased him in and gave him an opportunity against difficult opponents.”