TEAMtalk

Walsall v Hartlepool preview

Friday 09-March-2012 11:03

Richard Taundry will miss out for Walsall.

Right-back Taundry was forced off in the first half of Tuesday night's superb 3-2 home victory over promotion-chasing Sheffield United nursing a hamstring injury and is set to miss out for the foreseeable future.

Winger Jamie Paterson also hobbled off just after half-time carrying an ankle knock but it is hoped he will pass a late fitness test.

Defender Lee Beevers (head) and striker George Bowerman (cramp) also sustained injury against the Blades but are okay, while midfielder Adam Chambers - who has missed the last three matches with a heel problem - will again be monitored.

Hartlepool could be without James Poole, Gary Liddle and Luke James.

Striker Poole, who has only just returned from long-term injury, was forced off in the midweek defeat at Huddersfield with a thigh knock.

Midfielder Liddle is still struggling with the leg injury that has kept him out of the last four matches and teenage striker James has been nursing a back problem in recent weeks.

Another forward, Adam Boyd, is hoping for a recall to the starting line-up after being named on the substitutes' bench for the last five matches, while James Brown, who replaced Poole at half-time at Huddersfield, is expected to start.

Skipper Sam Collins, who celebrated his 500th club appearance in midweek, will continue his partnership with Peter Hartley in central defence.

Manager Neale Cooper has no other new injury or suspension problems as his side bid to close the eight-point gap between themselves and the top six.