Hignett urges Thomas to carry on good form against former club Mansfield

Thomas joined Stags last summer but left in the January window, homesick for his native North-East.

Recently he has played a big part in Hartlepool’s current fine run of six games unbeaten, scoring a superb goal in the 2-0 win at Leyton Orient.

“You always want to do well against a former club but Nath has so many we’ll come up against one every week,” smiled Hignett.

“He’s at a really nice place in himself, he’s playing well and enjoying his football. He’s been great for us, he was outstanding again at Leyton Orient, a real threat.

“I won’t ask him to do anything different against Mansfield, my message to him will be to keep doing what you’ve been doing.

“He scored a great goal, he’s got that in him and I’ve told him that any time he’s got a ‘one v one’ is get at them.”

He added: “We switched him right at the start of the second half at Orient because I wanted him coming in at goal, thankfully it had an effect, as it had at Barnet where we did that. He cut in there and scored a great goal.

“I’m pleased for him that goals are coming, he should be scoring double figures every season with the ability he’s got.”

On the game itself, Hignett said: “They are all tough games. There is nothing we fear in the league but anyone can beat anyone on the day.

“We have to make sure we are bang at it and we are everything we have been in the last month.

“Mansfield will come and pose us problems, but if we are right I’m confident we’ll win the game.”