Hartlepool v Rochdale preview

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

Hartlepool skipper Sam Collins and striker James Poole face a race to be fit.

Collins missed the 2-1 defeat to Scunthorpe on Monday after picking up a foot injury against Sheffield United and although X-rays showed no fracture, the 34-year-old suffered heavy bruising and is doubtful.

Poole has been sidelined for the last two games through a hamstring injury, but could be involved against Dale if he shows signs of progress.

Colin Larkin will remained sidelined for another three months after undergoing another operation on his knee, while fellow striker Colin Nish has returned to training following surgery on a similar problem but needs to work on his match fitness.

Defender Stephen Wright will miss out once again with an Achilles injury that has seen him miss the last five games.

Brett Ormerod is poised to make his debut when Rochdale caretaker boss Chris Beech takes his charges on the road.

The veteran striker joined Dale this week and is expected to partner Daniel Bogdanovic - who, like Ormerod, has moved to Spotland on a month's loan from Blackpool - in attack.

Bogdanovic marked his own debut with a goal, the equaliser in Monday's 1-1 draw with Preston.

On-loan West Ham goalkeeper Peter Kurucz also made his Rochdale bow against North End and is poised to keep his place as the medical staff continue to assess David Lucas' recovery from a head injury.

Lucas was knocked unconscious in a sickening collision during Dale's 3-0 defeat at Sheffield United last month and was substituted as a precaution 27 minutes into his comeback against Walsall on New Year's Eve after complaining of dizziness.

Defender Marcus Holness missed the Preston game and remains a doubt with a thigh problem, while long-term absentees Mark Twaddle (back) and Simon Hackney (abdominal) stay out of action.