Hartlepool v Bournemouth preview

Team news for Tuesday's League One clash between Hartlepool and Bournemouth at Victoria Park.

Last Updated: 21/01/13 at 18:08   

Austin: Pushing for a recall

Austin: Pushing for a recall

Hartlepool manager John Hughes could name an unchanged starting line-up for the fourth successive game.

Hughes has no new injury or suspension worries as Pools chase their first home win since September 1 and has several options at his disposal.

Striker Charlie Wyke, whose loan spell from Middlesbrough was recently extended until the end of the season, is likely to retain his place alongside Steve Howard up front after scoring his first senior goal in the 1-1 draw at Shrewsbury last time out.

Hughes must decide whether to retain 19-year-old Jordan Richards at right-back or recall the more experienced Neil Austin, while fellow defenders Darren Holden and Jack Baldwin, plus teenage striker Luke James are all pushing for a place in the starting line-up.

Goalkeeper Andy Rafferty remains the only long-term absentee following summer knee surgery.

Bournemouth could be without Harry Arter and Marc Pugh at Hartlepool as they look to bounce back from their first League One defeat under Eddie Howe.

Their 3-1 reverse at Walsall ended a 15-game unbeaten run which has moved the Cherries from 21st to eighth in the division but they may have to face rock-bottom Pools without two midfield regulars.

Pugh suffered a dead leg in the FA Cup defeat to Wigan last week and is doubtful while Arter had to be withdrawn just 30 minutes into the clash with the Saddlers as he picked up a calf strain.

Striker Wes Thomas, back in the squad after returning from a loan spell at Blackpool, picked up a head injury on Saturday but should still make the long trip north while Richard Hughes missed the defeat because of illness but trained on Monday.

"We have to make sure it was a one off and go again - what I am looking for now is a reaction," Howe told the club's official website.

"We knew at some time we would get a disappointing result and performance because that is football. We now have to make sure it doesn't happen again for a long time."

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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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