Michael Nelson is ready to hand Pools a boost by declaring himself fit for this weekend's crunch clash with Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

The defender took a heavy knock to the head during the closing stages of Saturday's defeat to Leeds United at Victoria Park.

But despite having seven stitches in the wound just above his right eye, the 29-year-old has revealed he is desperate to do his bit on the final day.

"I really want to play in this game because we all know how important it is," Nelson told us.

"I've still got the stitches in now and having spoken to the doctor his suggestion would be to leave them in until after the game," Nelson explained.

"I'm not sure if it was the lad's head or the back of Ben Clark's head I've hit. Clarky said he was going to try and do us in the game so he's got his way!

"Hopefully I'll be given the all-clear and I can play my part in making sure we keep our place in the division."

And regardless of whether Nelson starts or not he insists that the players must simply concentrate on their own performance rather than worry about other results.

If Carlisle fail to win their home game against Millwall then that will push Pools to safety but the skipper says it would be dangerous to rely on that happening.

"Hopefully we can take care of it ourselves and get the result we need to make sure we're safe," he commented.

"We can't go into the game hoping that other teams do us a favour and results go for us, we have to make sure it is in our hands."