Big FA Cup win at Ilkeston Town gives Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor food for thought as he prepares to have a full strength squad to face Altrincham

Pools go into the game on the back of a resounding 6-0 win at Ilkeston Town in the FA Cup on Saturday.

That match saw five different players score their first goals of the season after coming back into the side and has left Challinor with plenty to ponder over ahead of the return to National League action.

"We’ve got a competitive squad so it’s tough to make decisions but that’s what I want,” he told The Mail.

“To have forwards scoring goals is great, Crawfs [Tom Crawford] coming in and scoring, Josh [MacDonald] getting two assists, Henrich [Ravas] keeping a clean sheet, there are obviously loads of positives which will keep the competition healthy in the squad.”

Gary Liddle also marked his return from injury with 90-minutes on the field as his defensive partner Ryan Johnson was withdrawn at half-time. But Challinor isn’t expecting any absentees on Tuesday night with forward Rhys Oates back in contention.

“There are no injury concerns for Tuesday,” he added.

“We brought Ryan off as a precaution. He went up for a header and felt a tightness around his hamstring when he landed but he’ll be fine. With the scoreline the way it was and the subs we had on the bench, we didn’t want to risk it.

"I imagine a few people won’t train on Monday just with little things that need some rest but everyone should be available for Tuesday and we’ve got some tough decisions to make where some people will miss out.”

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