Exeter v Hartlepool United team news: Hignett makes five changes

Keeper Trevor Carson, defender Rob Jones, midfielders Nicky Featherstone and Lewis Hawkins, and striker Billy Paynter all returned to the starting XI.

Out went Adam Bartlett, Matthew Bates, Josh Laurent, Nicky Deverdics and Padraig Amond.

It meant Hignett has reverted to his favourite 4-3-3 formation with the old triumvirate of Michael Woods, Hawkins and Featherstone in midfield and the PAT frontline of Paynter, Lewis Alessandra and Nathan Thomas.

Pools: Carson, Magnay, Nsiala, Jones, Carroll, Featherstone, Woods, Hawkins, Alessandra, Paynter, Thomas.

Subs: Bartlett, Richards, Bates, Laurent, Deverdics, Amond, Oates