TOWN'S ticket prices for the 2004-5 campaign will be revealed on Friday but the County Ground box office remains under siege from supporters desperate to witness the climax to the current season.

Chief executive Mark Devlin is keeping his cards close to his chest at this stage but he has confirmed to the Evening Advertiser that the new price structure will not be affected whether Town are promoted or not.

Devlin said: "We are looking to make public the pricing structure for next season on Friday.

"Application and renewal forms will go out around the same time."

However, the main focus of attention is firmly on ticket sales for Town's remaining three fixtures of the current season.

Devlin has revealed that the Stratton Bank will be given over to Hartlepool United supporters on the final day of the campaign after consultations with the north-east club and the police.

"With a lot likely to be at stake, possibly for both teams, we understand that Hartlepool might be looking to bring 2,000 fans with them.

"The Stratton Bank holds around 2,100 people which should be enough.

"The corner of the Arkells stand which normally houses visiting supporters will be made available to our own fans," said Devlin.

While a five-figure gate is expected for the Hartlepool finale, next Saturday's match at Queens Park Rangers is almost certain to be a sell-out.

There are no tickets left in the home areas of Loftus Road and Town fans are on course to have snapped up their 2,900 allocation by the end of the week.

Box office manager Stuart Pike said: "The initial 1,200 allocation for the match at Queens Park Rangers has now gone and we will be taking delivery of a further 1,700 tickets today.

"I would expect the vast majority of those tickets to be snapped up as well.

"As for this Saturday, I am hoping we could be looking at 8,000 or more for the Oldham game.

On the pitch, Town's players were enjoying a day off today ahead of the Latics' visit to the County Ground on Saturday.

The rest was particularly beneficial to those members of the squad nursing knocks.

Physio Dick Mackey said: "Sean O'Hanlon has responded well to treatment for a thigh strain and will benefit from this rest.

"Andy Nicholas has also had a thigh strain and we will be looking at him again today with a view to making sure he will be okay to train tomorrow.

"It is a long season and players will get these minor problems.

"Rest is important and it's a question of nursing players through a hectic period to the end of the campaign."