Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor explains the absence of key duo David Ferguson and Rhys Oates

Aside from the expected absences of Luke Williams and Gary Liddle, David Ferguson and Rhys Oates also failed to make the journey to the West Midlands.

It’s the first time Ferguson has missed a game for Pools so far this season while Oates had started the last two games ahead of the trip to Damson Park. Pools lost the match 2-0 after Timi Odusina’s controversial sending off as they dropped to 12th in the National League table.

Following the game, Dave Challinor explained Oates and Ferguson’s respective absences from the squad.

"They’ve both had little reactions from the game [at Barnet] last Tuesday,” said the Hartlepool manager.

“Fergie has been carrying a little niggle and reacted to training so we had to be careful. He would have been a huge risk to play. Oates is in a position where he didn’t play a lot of football last season and had a serious knee operation which he is still feeling the effects of when he plays two games quickly.

"He did that last week and his scar tissue flared up a little bit so there were some concerns but thankfully it’s settled down.

"The two of them will be back training Thursday and providing we’ve had no ill-effects then they should be available for Saturday’s game.”

Pools face Boreham Wood at Victoria Park this weekend (3pm kick-off) before welcoming King’s Lynn Town on Tuesday evening with the kick-off time being brought forward to 7pm.

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