Austin aims for Pools record

Neil Austin wants to write himself into Hartlepool's record books by playing every minute of every match throughout this entire season.

The defender warned manager Neale Cooper to expect a knock on his door if he decides to make changes for the last two matches. The former Barnsley man, who celebrates his 29th birthday on Thursday, is on the brink of becoming the club's first outfield player in recent times to play every minute of every match throughout an entire season. With the vice-captain so close to such a remarkable feat, he is eager not to be sat in the stands or on the bench for the final two fixtures against Leyton Orient and Charlton. "There's two matches left and hopefully the gaffer will keep me in the team," Austin told SportMail. "I don't know if he's going to experiment with the team with a few of the kids. "It's a good opportunity for the manager to see what the young lads are about because we're safe now. But I'll be the first one knocking on his door if I'm not in that team shape on Friday." He added: "It'll be a proud achievement and it's even more pleasing now we've realised no outfield player has done it."