Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor drops squad selection hints with injury update on Newcastle United youngster Lewis Cass ahead of Sunday's National League promotion final

Lewis Cass and Ben Killip are both back in contention after recovering from respective hamstring and elbow injuries but manager Dave Challinor isn’t planning on making any significant changes from the 1-0 semi-final win at Stockport County last Sunday.

Youngster Joe Grey remains a ‘write off’ for the season while Aaron Cunningham’s season was also cut short after spending time on loan at Blyth Spartans.

Other than that, Pools are raring to go as they look to secure a place back in the Football League.

“Everyone is in our thinking,” Challinor said. “We've got good problems to have but the players who performed on Sunday played well so I don't envisage many if any changes.

"We've got to select a team, an 11 that can go and win the game for us and select only five substitutes who can have an impact. We'll do that and hopefully get it somewhere near right on the day.

“Lewis is not at all out of it. He's trained all week, that we've been in. He has a chance of being involved. He's had no issues, we'll check if he's okay on Saturday but he'll travel and is certainly in with a shot.”

With Challinor only able to name five players on the bench, there will be some disappointed players missing out.

“There are going to be some difficult conversations but we've had that all season,” he told The Mail.

“We'll pick a team including the bench that we think will give us the best chance based on how we think the game might go. Sometimes you get it right, sometimes you get it wrong but the motives are right.

“Whether it's the 11, the 16, the squad that travel, everybody has played their part and a win would be for everybody.

"Some will be disappointed not to play but that will soon be erased if we end the day lifting a trophy.”

Roughly 3,100 Poolies will make the journey to Ashton Gate on Sunday after the club’s ticket allocation sold out on Thursday afternoon.

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