AGAINST their wishes, Hartlepool United’s trip to Charlton has been swiftly rearranged for next week.

Last Saturday’s planned trip to The Valley was frozen off, but Pools now head to London next Tuesday night.

The swift rearrangement means Pools now face a testing week, with the game at Charlton followed by a visit to Bristol Rovers four days later.

A home game with Gillingham (Jan 26) comes before a game at Norwich (Jan 30) and their meeting with Leeds at Victoria Park seven days later.

“We were looking (to rearrange) further down the line when there wouldn’t be as much travelling for our fans,’’ boss Chris Turner told the club website.

“But it was out of our hands and we have to abide by the date set by Charlton and the Football League.

“From our point of view we will play Charlton at any time they want us to, but we are only one game behind and there seemed to be lots of other times we could have played the game.’’ Denis Behan and Steve Haslam have recovered from injury and should be back in the squad for the weekend, although Pools have been restricted to indoor work due to the weather.

Behan’s former Cork City team-mate Joe Gamble could start against Paul Ince’s side.

And the new recruit, who completed his move from Ireland last week, can’t wait to test himself in League One.

“We are eight points off the play-offs and you have to look forward,’’ he said. “Look at the clubs around Hartlepool and they are punching above their weight in terms of fan base the club itself.

“But the league is tight – eight points off the relegation zone. Two or three losses and you are looking below, two or three wins and you are up there looking at a different scenario.

“For us it’s about consistency.

I think the last eight games they have been ahead six times and lost the lead six times – one thing they have been working on in training is cutting out those mistakes.

“They want to push up the table and they were leading against Leeds and Southampton – even if you get draws against those clubs it’s a good thing. They are looking for consistency and aiming to push on up the league.’’

■ Pools FA Youth Cup tie with Watford has been rearranged for next Tuesday with the winners away to either Leicester or Liverpool.