Hartlepool United make one change for Woking clash

Hartlepool United have made one change for this afternoon's long trip to Woking.

Pools are set to play their first game since American businessman and investor Landon Smith, who is the co-founder of real estate company Tailwind Group, bought the club from controversial former owner Raj Singh on New Year's Eve.

Influential defender Reiss McNally is set to make his first start since September 13 having recovered from a serious hamstring injury that saw him sidelined for three-and-a-half months. Picture by Adam Cook/The Corner Photography.

placeholder image — Influential defender Reiss McNally is set to make his first start since September 13 having recovered from a serious hamstring injury that saw him sidelined for three-and-a-half months. Picture by Adam Cook/The Corner Photography.

While many fans are already looking forward to next weekend's visit of Altrincham, the first home match of Smith's new era, Nicky Featherstone's side know that Saturday's fixture in Surrey is equally important in the race for the National League play-off places.

In the one change from their statement win over Rochdale last time out, influential defender Reiss McNally returns to the starting XI in place of Jack Hunter, who drops to the bench. McNally, who starts for the first time since a serious hamstring injury sustained against Brackley on September 13, replaced the stricken Hunter seven minutes into the win over Dale, producing a monumental performance on the right of a back three.

Pools have stuck with the 3-4-3 formation that served them so well against Rochdale, with goalkeeper George Evans, who had his loan from Millwall extended until February this week, lining up behind McNally, Maxim Kouogun and Cameron John.

Jay Benn, outstanding last time out, continues at right-wing-back, while Matty Daly retains his place on the opposite flank. Jamie Miley and Nathan Sheron partner one another in midfield, with Luke Charman and Adam Campbell starting in support of Alex Reid, looking to end a run of five games without scoring.

Pools (3-4-3): Evans; McNally, Kouogun, John; Benn, Sheron (c), Miley, Daly; Campbell, Reid, Charman