Gary Liddle and Newcastle United defender Lewis Cass return from injury for Hartlepool United in friendly match as Dave Challinor drops team selection hints

Hartlepool United are set to play a training ground friendly this afternoon – but how has last night’s postponement at Halifax Town changed Dave Challinor’s plans?
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Challinor was looking to use the friendly match as an opportunity for players who needed it to get some game time under their belts.

After Tuesday night’s match at Halifax Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch, Pools are now potentially facing a two week spell without a competitive game. But the Hartlepool manager admitted that the postponement would have very little impact on his team selection for the friendly match.

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“It only changes our team slightly in regard to Lewis Cass,” he told The Mail.

Lewis Cass will start for Hartlepool United in today's friendly. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Lewis Cass will start for Hartlepool United in today's friendly. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Lewis Cass will start for Hartlepool United in today's friendly. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

“Cass would have started at Halifax but he’s not had a game due to being injured so Wednesday’s game gives him the chance to get some minutes.

"The rest of the lads we’re okay with, it’s more for the lads who haven’t played much.”

Gary Liddle will return for the first time since October after recovering from a groin injury. Henrich Ravas, Luke Molyneux, Luke Williams, Joe Bunney, Joe Grey, Mason Bloomfield, Claudio Ofosu and Josh MacDonald are also in need of minutes.

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“Lidds will play, Mols will play, Luke Williams, Joe Bunney, Joe Grey and Mason will be involved,” Challinor added. “There are question marks over whether Crawfs [Tom Crawford] needs it.

"But the rest have an opportunity to play and the only player whose position changes as a result of the postponement is Cass. We’ll see if any other players feel like they need it but in the main, everyone should be fine.”

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