The Maroons moved four points clear of second-placed Stockport with a game in hand after an impressive 20-10 win over their nearest rivals last weekend – their 14th on the trot – but coach Peter Seabourne is anxious to make it clear that the title chase is far from over.

He added: "We seem to be in a very good position but with five points on offer in each game, things can change very quickly.

"West Hartlepool have some of their injured players back and are much improved, they are fighting for their lives. Two weeks ago they beat Sheffield Tigers and last Saturday gave it a go at Middlesbrough and only went down 13-3.

"We have to start putting these lower-placed teams away, everybody will go flat out against us."

There will be a late check on prop Paul Gabriel, who came off against Stockport with neck and shoulder problems, and was getting some reaction from the injury. However, he was feeling fit enough after the game but a close eye will be kept on how he goes in training.

His departure helped a big Stockport pack to put the pressure on and starve Morley of possession for some periods after the Maroons had made a flying start to build a 20-0 lead after only 17 minutes.

Tom Gray is out for the season. He has to have an operation on an ankle which he injured in a freak accident last season when the match referee stepped on him. He will be in plaster for a month and will then need six weeks rehab.

Sean Burke came on just after half-time in place of Danny Chamberlain, who had been suffering during the week with a chest infection. Burke produced a couple of typical runs and it is felt he will soon be challenging strongly for a regular starting place.

Morley's performance to beat Stockport was impressive after their lengthy lay-off, while the visitors had the advantage of playing the previous week to get the rust out of their systems.

The Maroons had trained on the main pitch for the first time for six weeks last Thursday and were whipped up for the challenge.

Seabourne, who had watched Stockport play the previous week, explained: "We were concerned the players might not be match sharp and stressed the need to get out of the blocks quickly and run them around because I was concerned their big, heavy pack would grind us down with the advantage of having played a game.

"They struggled to keep our backs in check and as soon as we got any decent ball we scored two cracking tries and in fact bombed a couple more. Paul Gabriel's injury affected us and enabled Stockport's pack to come back at us but I would have been very upset if we had let go a 20-0 lead.

"All credit to the players, they took all they had worked on in training straight onto the field and got the flying start we were seeking and played some very good rugby.