Hartlepool go into this game in fine form having won four out of the last four games, including impressive away victories over Gateshead and Stockton.

This could have led to comments that last weekends break may have come at the wrong time for the team. However, that could not have been further from the truth.

Pool have had to manage an ever growing injury list since the start of the season. Last Saturday gave the squad the chance to recover from knocks that have been carried across several games and brought long term absentees a week closer to full fitness.

With every game in this league the trip to Westoe will prove to be a tough contest. The men from South Shields are on a good run of form themselves having won their last three league games.

Team News

Hartlepool are boosted by the return of Tom Stead, Jon Carney, Patrick Wilson and Ste Cole. All four missed the home win against Gosforth last time out.

Stead comes straight into the front row in place of Graham Wilson and packs down with brother Neil & team captain Andrew Small.

Tom Johnson is unavailable so Carney replaces him in the back row with Ryan Wilson moving to number 8.

The return of Patrick Wilson at fly half gives Keagan Thomas the chance to link back up with regular centre partner David Chester.

Cole, Lewis Wilson and Dean Ryan make up the back three with Antony Lawrence providing cover from the bench.

Hartlepool: N Stead, Small, T Stead, Begley, Hanson, Carney, Dickson, R Wilson, Foreman, P Wilson, Cole, K Thomas, Chester, Ryan, L Wilson.

Reps: A Williamson, Smalley, Lawrence.