Hartlepool v Leyton Orient preview

Team news ahead of Saturday's League One clash between Hartlepool and Leyton Orient at Victoria Park.

Last Updated: 27/04/12 at 13:18   

Collins: Fitness race

Collins: Fitness race

Hartlepool defenders Sam Collins and Evan Horwood are hoping to prove their fitness in time for the clash.

Collins missed last week's draw at Tranmere due to a calf strain, while Horwood was sidelined with a knee problem.

Jordan Richards, 19, made his full debut in their absence in the back four at Prenton Park alongside fellow teenager Jack Baldwin and manager Neale Cooper must decide whether to stick with his youngsters if either Collins or Horwood return to full fitness.

James Poole is back in training following thigh and hamstring problems that have kept him sidelined for the last month, as have fellow strikers James Brown (groin) and Colin Larkin (knee), but none of the trio are expected to play any part.

Luke James is likely to resume up front alongside Ryan Noble, while a fourth teenager, defender Darren Holden, is hoping to feature again after making his first-team debut off the substitutes' bench at Tranmere.

Jimmy Smith could return to the Leyton Orient starting line-up.

The midfielder needed an operation on a broken cheekbone earlier this month but made his comeback as a late substitute against Yeovil last weekend.

On-loan Southampton defender Ryan Dickson is still suspended following his red card at Sheffield United a fortnight ago, so utility man Leon McSweeney will once again deputise at left-back against the club he left last summer.

Centre-half Scott Cuthbert is still out with a hamstring injury and goalkeeper Lee Butcher has a knee problem.

Russell Slade's side are currently four points above the relegation zone after they ended a run of five straight defeats with a 2-2 draw against the Glovers.

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npower League 1

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Doncaster 46 18 84
2 Bournemth 46 23 83
3 Brentford 46 15 79
4 Yeovil 46 15 77
5 Sheff Utd 46 14 75
6 Swindon 46 33 74
7 Leyton Or 46 7 71
8 MK Dons 46 17 70
9 Walsall 46 7 68
10 Crawley 46 1 68
11 Tranmere 46 10 67
12 Notts Co 46 12 65
13 Crewe 46 -8 64
14 Preston 46 5 59
15 Coventry 46 7 55
16 Shrewsbury 46 -6 55
17 Carlisle 46 -21 55
18 Stevenage 46 -17 54
19 Oldham 46 -13 51
20 Colchester 46 -21 51
21 Scunthorpe 46 -24 48
22 Bury 46 -28 41
23 Hartlepool 46 -28 41
24 Portsmouth 46 -18 32

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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