Keith Curle takes his side to bottom-of-the-table Gillingham as the league’s bottom two collide at the Priestfield Stadium.
Pools slipped back into the bottom two thanks to Rochdale’s surprise win at Bradford City in midweek as the pressure continues to mount heading into the second half of the season.
Pools have won each of their last two away games against relegation rivals in Crawley Town and Rochdale and head to a side who have won just twice in the league all season, scoring just seven goals.
But following their recent takeover, the Gills will be highlighting Hartlepool’s visit as an opportunity to kick-start their campaign.
Curle will be hoping for positive news on striker Josh Umerah after he was forced off in the FA Cup defeat to Stoke City as we predict our starting XI to face Gillingham:
Pools have won each of their last two away games against relegation rivals in Crawley Town and Rochdale and head to a side who have won just twice in the league all season, scoring just seven goals.
![Cooke could complete a midfield three for Keith Curle's side. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjZlZDk1ZWI3LTQxYzMtNGVhMS1iNjFmLTQ2MzZlZTM5NDhmOTo5OWY1MGFkOS01OGNjLTRiNzktOTE2OC1jZDUxOTc1MDQ5NjQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
9. Callum Cooke
Cooke could complete a midfield three for Keith Curle's side. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News) Photo: Mark Fletcher
![Hamilton has started the last five games in all competitions for Pools. (Credit: Mike Morese | MI News)](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjk5YjNmNGZmLTEwY2QtNDZmMi05MGNiLWI0ZGQ2NzM3MTk0YzpkMjAwZDY4NC0xNWY1LTQ1NjEtODQzZi0zNTQ4MTczMTNkNGY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
10. Jack Hamilton
Hamilton has started the last five games in all competitions for Pools. (Credit: Mike Morese | MI News) Photo: Mike Morese
![Umerah has been able to train this week which should mean he is in contention to face Gillingham. (Credit: Mike Morese | MI News)](https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjg0OWI2MDk4LTg4YWEtNDA5Ni1iODVlLTA3NDQ0MDAwNmViOToxNmFmN2Y1My0yMDFmLTRmOTYtYjUyZS1kMThkNWQ4MGI4NWM=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
11. Josh Umerah
Umerah has been able to train this week which should mean he is in contention to face Gillingham. (Credit: Mike Morese | MI News) Photo: Mike Morese