Hartlepool United starting XI: Josh Umerah misses out on John Askey's line-up to face Walsall

Askey has 13 games to ensure Hartlepool’s Football League status but the new Pools boss has already been hit with an injury concern as striker Josh Umerah misses out against the Saddlers.

Umerah, despite going six games without a goal in the league, remains Hartlepool’s leading scorer with 13 in all competitions.

But Umerah is one of a number of key players missing against Walsall.

Askey is also without defender Dan Dodds who he suggested to The Mail will be missing for a couple of weeks, while Jamie Sterry serves the final game of his three match ban for a red card picked up against Crewe Alexandra.

Askey has, therefore, gone with Brendan Kiernan on the right who makes his first start for Hartlepool since joining the club on transfer deadline day.

Kiernan is one of three changes from the defeat to Newport County in midweek as captain Nicky Featherstone returns to the squad with Jack Hamilton replacing Umerah in attack, with Umerah not involved in Askey’s match day squad.

Featherstone missed the defeat to Newport with a slight hip injury but captains Pools against his former club as Hamilton pairs Connor Jennings in attack.

There is a return to the match day squad for Wes McDonald on the bench with Matt Dolan also available after being ineligible against Newport.

And here is how Pools line-up in full to face Walsall:

Hartlepool United XI: Stolarczyk, Foran, Hartley, Pruti, Kiernan, Featherstone ©, Sylla, Ferguson, Kemp, Jennings, Hamilton

Subs: Killip, Niang, Dolan, Finney, Grey, McDonald, Clarke