This is The North East | Sport | Football

Following Darren Williams' dismissal in the 2-0 defeat at Colchester on Tuesday night, the long-serving defender will re-take the skippers' armband from Ritchie Humphreys for the vital game with Bristol City at Victoria Park.

Barron has not started a game since being sent-off in the dismal home reverse to Blackpool on January 28, when he was red- carded for a professional foul after half an hour.

Tuesday's defeat - Barron replaced Adam Boyd after 62 minutes - kept Pool in the bottom four and with MK Dons to follow on Monday, the next two games will go a long way to shaping their season.

Barron is in his testimonial campaign and the last thing he wants is to mark it with relegation.

He has secured a benefit game with Leeds United on Saturday, July 22, and wants it to be a warm-up for another season in League One, not a return to League Two.

He said: "I spoke with John Carver (Leeds coach) and he did all he can to help. Leeds are at the top end of the table and I hope they get promoted and come here as a Premier League team.

"Let's hope it will be a great day and a lot of fans turn out. It's something I am looking forward to, but first we have a job to do and that's to stay safe.''

Meanwhile, boss Paul Stephenson admits Pool need maximum points from their three remaining home games to have a chance of avoiding the drop.

After Bristol City, Pool take on Nottingham Forest and Port Vale at Victoria Park and the temporary boss said: "We've 15 points left to play for and three home games and we might have to win them all."

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