EDON PRUTI is available for Hartlepool United’s crucial League Two clash with leaders Leyton Orient despite his call-up for Albania Under-21s.

Pruti was selected for Under-21 honours, but did not feature in Thursday’s 2-1 win over Azerbaijan and will also not be involved in Monday’s friendly with Poland.

Instead, he has remained in the North-East to train with the rest of Pools’ first-team group and ensure his availability for today’s meeting with Orient at the Suit Direct Stadium.

“He’s (Pruti) training with us, so he’s available,” said Pools boss John Askey. “As we explained to the Albanian FA, it’s more important for his development to stay in league football than it is to go out to their Under-21s and play friendlies.

“It’s an important time for ourselves, and for his development, it’s huge. If he was playing in the National League next season, he needs to be playing at a higher standard than that.”

Pruti has started all 12 of Pools’ matches since joining the club on a permanent deal from Brentford in January, and his continued presence is likely to be crucial to his side’s hopes of avoiding the drop.

Pools are currently two points adrift of safety, with 22nd-placed Crawley Town having a game in hand, and this could prove a crucial weekend in the relegation battle with Crawley hosting bottom club Rochdale at the Broadfield Stadium.

Pruti and Dan Dodds are crucial elements in the tactics being employed by Askey, with the duo playing as outside centre-halves on either side of Euan Murray in a back five.

“They’re important and they’re mobile, and both are comfortable on the ball,” said the Pools boss. “So, to have lost him (would have been a blow). We haven’t really got a natural player to go into that position."