Hartlepool United looking to make the most of free weekend following Stockport County postponement

Pools were set to host Stockport County at Victoria Park this weekend but the match has been rearranged to take place on Tuesday, December 22 (6pm kick-off) due to The Hatters’ FA Cup second round commitments at home to Yeovil Town.

For Pools, it’s a welcome break after long trips to Eastleigh, Yeovil and Barnet over the past two weeks as they prepare for another long trip to face Solihull Moors on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick-off).

The match at Damson Park will be the first of 10 games set to be played by Pools over the next month.

And Challinor is planning to rotate his squad where necessary during the hectic schedule.

Speaking ahead of his side’s free weekend, the Pools boss said: “We will use it to continue to work on things we need to work on and a lot of that is showing in games.

"Defensively we look a lot more solid and more resolute.

"I was really pleased with our second-half performance at Yeovil but it’s important that the lads who have played a lot of football are prepared.

"There are lads who need topping up and those lads who aren’t involved at the moment, it’s important that they have the best opportunity to be up to speed when they are needed so that they can not only do themselves justice but fit into the side seamlessly and help us get positive results.”

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