Hartlepool`s director of sport Chris Turner has told Ritchie Jones to fight for his place in the centre of midfield following the signing of Leon McSweeney.

McSweeney arrived from cash-strapped Stockport on a free transfer last week and is expected to fill the troublesome right-midfield role, meaning Jones - who has been deployed in the wide right berth in recent times - can switch his attention to his preferred central position.

"Ritchie's had some highs and lows and played wide right which is not his preferred position," Turner told the Hartlepool Mail.

"I've fire fought a lot by playing players in areas to get the best for the team, not maybe the individual.

"He's got to come back as a central midfield player and fight for his place there, not coming back with the mentality that I might be stuck on the right wing."