Ritchie Jones may have briefly wanted out of Pool">Hartlepool United in the summer and has recently been out of the first-team, but Chris Turner believes his attitude and application have put him back in contention.

Jones admitted his futile transfer request was submitted in haste and was swiftly withdrawn.

But when he was withdrawn from the first-team by Turner, question marks were raised about the midfielder’s future.

Jones has not appeared under Turner since the 2-0 loss at Colchester on September 19.

However, the former Manchester United man has knuckled down and could start this afternoon at Swindon after impressing Turner this week.

Jones scored for the reserves in their 2-2 draw at Leeds United on Tuesday, his fine individual effort maintaining the unbeaten run for Colin West’s side this season.

“There’s a good spirit in the club and that’s typified by a number of things,’’ admitted Turner.

“When you see the youth team, who have an excellent coach in Micky Barron, doing well and the reserves doing well, it’s good for everyone.

“The youth team results have improved this year and it’s pleasing. It’s the same with the reserves.

“Ritchie Jones gave a display on Tuesday at Leeds in the reserve game that I described to him afterwards as the best he has ever given in a Hartlepool shirt.

“Being out of the side may have been the kick up the backside he required and he has played his way back into contention.

“That’s what I mean about the spirit at the club and doing things in the right manner.

Now we just need to kick on with the first-team results.

“We are a couple of back-toback wins from being in a very good position.’’ Swindon, bossed by Danny Wilson, haven’t lost since the opening day of the season, when they were whacked 5-2 at Gillingham.

Pools, on the other hand, have stuttered of late and the early-season promise and optimism is turning to worry.

“There’s a lot of frustration because we are so close – so close to beating Exeter, so close to giving Grimsby a good beating and so close to beating Brentford,’’ said Turner.

“All we need is that little break in front of goal.

“It doesn’t matter who you watch or support, 0-0 is frustrating at home – away from home it is a good point.

“Brentford were happy with that point. We have to push on in certain games.

“The League is very tight and with Tranmere at home next weekend, if we get a good return from these next two games we can be well inside the top ten.

“I keep saying that’s our aim. The top six as it is now won’t change much at all.

They are the six best sides in the division and we have played five of them already.

“Early season results don’t always mean a lot, but they can. Swindon lost 5-1 at Gillingham first game of the season and have not lost since then. They’ve had a lot of draws, but they have kept going and been tough to beat.

“Their chairman has said play-offs is the minimum – there’s a lot of pressure on them, but they are only a couple of results away from being in our position.

“Some teams start well and fade, some start slowly and kick-on. Dan has had a good start and I’m pleased for him.’’ Wilson led Pools to promotion in 2007 and Pools know what to expect from his side this afternoon.

Midfielder Antony Sweeney was shunted to right back last season during Wilson’s time in charge, but admitted: “It’s a tough away game next and a familiar face in Danny Wilson as well.

“Hopefully we can get one over them. We won last season with a last-minute penalty from Ben Clark.

“I would probably want a little bit of a more open game for us with a few more goals, rather than leaving it until the last minute.

“But if it goes to the last minute again I will take that.

“If you look at the table, one win can catapult teams up eight or nine places, especially down at the bottom.

“That’s the main thing, if you can get in the top half it gives you that confidence and belief and it spurs you on because you know you are getting away from the dreaded relegation zone.’’