Joe Dunne takes charge of his first-ever game in senior management.
Dunne was handed the U's job on a permanent basis on Thursday having spent just 72 hours in caretaker charge following John Ward's sacking on Monday, coming on the back of the club's worst start to a season in their history.
Dunne, previously assistant to Ward, has plenty to ponder ahead of the visit of Pools as he looks to secure Colchester's first win of the season in all competitions.
Arsenal duo Craig Eastmond and Sanchez Watt and MK Dons striker Jabo Ibehre were brought in on loan this week and could be handed their debuts.
Influential centre-back Magnus Okuonghae will be assessed having missed last weekend's 1-0 defeat at Scunthorpe with an ankle injury.
Matt Heath came in to replace Okuonghae while Ian Henderson was dropped in favour of Karl Duguid, and Dunne must decide how his new side will shape up with the likes of Freddie Sears and Andy Bond also pushing to start.
Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper has no new injury worries for the game, with Steve Howard and Simon Walton his only concerns.
Striker Howard, who had half a dozen stitches inserted in a badly gashed shin, managed to last the full 90 minutes in last weekend's home draw with Shrewsbury and is expected to continue up front alongside either James Poole or Luke James.
Poole got the nod from Cooper last week but was replaced for the last quarter of an hour by teenager James.
Midfielder Walton, an unused substitute against Shrewsbury, is struggling with an ankle niggle, but is also expected to be fit.
Winger Craig Lynch, on loan from Sunderland, made his first start for Pools last week and is hoping to retain his place.
Pools are chasing their first win in five league matches.
