The visitors head into this local derby in search of a return to winning ways having suffered a 24-5 defeat at the hands of promotion hopefuls Ponteland in their last outing.

Prior to that loss the men in black had enjoyed a five game unbeaten run and will be determined to get back to that form.

In the reverse fixture, Pool ran out 82-3 winners in the game that was played at Hartlepool BBOB's Friarage ground.

The Opposition

Seaton currently lie 12th in the league and lost out 42-7 at Ashington before last week's break.

Although they have not enjoyed a victory themselves since November when they defeated Blyth, Carew pushed Ponteland close in their last home game narrowly losing out 22-29.

Team News

The big team news coming out of the Hartlepool camp is that 17 year old Jack Riley will make his first team debut when he packs down alongside Michael Smalley in the second row.

Riley is a member of the County U17 squad and has impressed the coaches in training and on his three senior appearances to date.

He will become the fourth player from the Colts to make his first team debut this season following Niall Bains, Thomas Turnbull and Simone Ragona.

Riley replaces Shane Ivey from the team that took the field against Ponteland with the latter sidelined due to a facial injury sustained whilst playing for Durham University last week.

In the only other change to the pack, Ivan Moses replaces Aaron Jeffery on the blindside.

The back line remains unchanged and the trio of replacements are made up of John Osborne, Jack Richardson and Thomas Lister.

1. G Wilson, 2. Small, 3. Williamson, 4. Riley, 5. Smalley, 6. Moses, 7. Carney, 8. Johnson, 9. Foreman, 10. Ainley, 11. Z Ivey, 12. K Thomas, 13. Chester, 14. Winter, 15. D Thomas

16. Osborne, 17. Richardson, 18. Lister

Other Fixtures

Hartlepool A travel to Hollow Drift to face Durham City in the County Cup and are boosted by the return of captain Rory Craig and second row Joe McDonnell.

Liam Pape is also included in the travelling squad having recovered from the ankle injury that kept him out of the first team game at Ponteland.

Anthony Emmanuel faces a late fitness test as he bids for a return to action following three weeks on the sidelines.