Hartlepool v Bournemouth preview

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

Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper is expected to name an unchanged side for the home clash, which passed a 12noon pitch inspection on Friday.

Cooper has no new injury or suspension problems as his side look to build on last week's 4-0 home win over Carlisle and stretch their unbeaten league run to five matches.

But striker James Poole, sidelined since Boxing Day due to a hamstring injury, must wait a while longer for his comeback.

The summer signing from Manchester City had an epidural injection after consulting a specialist on Wednesday and is hoping to return to training next week.

Another striker, Colin Larkin (knee), remains a long-term absentee and although Colin Nish is pushing for a return to the starting line-up, Cooper is expected to stick with James Brown and teenager Luke James - three goals in his last four appearances - up front.

Bournemouth will be without midfielder Wes Fogden.

Fogden suffered an ankle injury during the 1-0 defeat at Chesterfield on January 27 and will not be fit enough to line up against Pools.

Matt Tubbs will keep his place up front after netting on his debut against Exeter in midweek, while Scott Malone will be pushing for a start after coming off the bench to score the second goal in the 2-0 victory over the Grecians following his return from injury.

Manager Lee Bradbury will be missing captain Adam Barrett, however, who has been ruled out with a hamstring problem, while Mathieu Baudry (hamstring), Joe Partington, Shaun Cooper, Mark Molesley and Nathan Byrne (ankle) are still short of match fitness.

Striker Charlie Sheringham will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, while goalkeeper Shwan Jalal has been sidelined for six weeks after undergoing a routine back operation.