Hartlepool team news: Trevor Carson absent from Pools XI

Hartlepool United keeper Trevor Carson is missing from the starting XI for this afternoon's clash at Accrington.

By The Newsroom

Published 2nd Jan 2017, 13:04 BST

Updated 9th Jan 2017, 11:53 BST

The goalie misses out due to a shoulder problem, although the issue is not thought to be too serious.

It is not known whether it is a recurrence of a shoulder injury which has given him problems earlier in the season. Adam Bartlett deputises.

Elsewhere, Craig Hignett has stuck to the 3-5-2 which served him so well in Monday's 3-2 win over Morecambe.

Matthew Bates returns to the side at centre-back for Toto Nsiala, who left for Shrewsbury Town in a five figure deal, yesterday.

Jordan Richards also comes in for Lewis Hawkins, with Josh Laurent restored to the team, replacing Nicky Deverdics.

Pools XI: Bartlett, Donnelly, Bates, Harrison, Richards, Woods, Laurent, Featherstone, Carroll, Amond, Paynter.

Subs: Dzudzinski, Pollock, Deverdics, Hawkins, Walker, Alessandra, Oates.