Preston v Hartlepool preview

Team news for Tuesday night's League One clash between Preston and Hartlepool at Deepdale.

Last Updated: 17/09/12 at 16:04   

Austin: Back after suspension

Austin: Back after suspension

Graham Westley will assess his walking wounded before Preston look to return to winning ways.

Midfielder Keith Keane is likely to miss out again through injury alongside skipper John Mousinho (hamstring).

Fellow midfielder John Welsh suffered a gash to his shin during Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Crawley, a bruising encounter that Westley claims leaves five other members of his weekend starting XI doubtful.

"We took a lot of knocks," he told North End's official website. "Half a dozen of them were in for treatment on Sunday and they have all got doubts over their heads for Tuesday night.

"We have already seen freshness has been a bonus for us this season. That is what we have a squad for - when you get a few bruises on a Saturday you dig into your squad and you put a team together to go and do the job on Tuesday. That's why the squad is so essential if you want to go and win games."

Joel Byrom is pushing for a start in midfield having completed 45 minutes for the second game in succession, although Lee Holmes (gashed leg) and striker Lee Trundle (knee) remain on the sidelines.

Defender Neil Austin is expected to return to Hartlepool's squad following his suspension.

The full-back missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth due to his dismissal the previous week against Carlisle, but could return to the starting line-up.

Teenager Jack Baldwin stepped in for Austin, while Simon Walton made a goalscoring return to the side, and manager Neale Cooper must decide whether to retain a five-man midfield.

He has no new injury or suspension worries to contend with and Peter Hartley is once more expected to partner Sam Collins in central defence.

Striker James Poole is pushing for a recall to the side while defender Craig Lynch is pressing for his first start as Pools chase their first away win of the season.

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

League One Fixtures

There are no fixtures at present.

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

Footer 365

World Cup: Christian Seifert issues World Cup warning

Any attempt to move the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to the winter could lead to legal challenges by European leagues.

Olivier Giroud: Arsenal must progress further in the Champions League

Olivier Giroud says Arsenal must kick on in the Champions League after qualifying for a 16th successive season.

Bale planning for next season

Gareth Bale found Tottenham's latest failure to qualify for the Champions League "hard to stomach" but "will give it another go" next season.

Mail Box

A Night In The Pub With Aston Villa...

Villa are the latest team to get the pub treatment, while the morning mailbox also includes missives on Tony Pulis leaving Stoke and Chelsea's future under Jose Mourinho...

Mourinho Isn't Short-Term, Football Is

There's more in the afternoon Mailbox about Jose Mourinho and his potential return to Chelsea, while there's also a link to some pictures of eagles that look like Arsene Wenger...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved