Hartlepool United to mate late fitness calls on key players Jamie Sterry and Rhys Oates ahead of Dagenham & Redbridge clash

Oates missed last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Stockport County with a groin strain while Sterry was forced off in the match due to a problem with his hamstring.

Both players will train on Thursday ahead of the game before manager Dave Challinor and his team make a call on whether to involve them this Easter weekend. It’s been a hectic week away from football for Sterry as he and his partner welcomed their first child to the world.

“For Jamie, it’s an exciting couple of months on and off the pitch for him!” Challinor commented.

"We’ll see with him and Oatesy but we’re hopeful and it’s a quick-ish turnaround for them.

"It’ll be great for us if we could get them involved but we’re not going to risk anything with those two. Fingers crossed they make it but we need to make sure we have the players available to come in and help us get three points.

“Apart from those two, everybody has trained and they’ll do a little bit today and we’ll see how they are but we’re fine other than we’re in good shape.”

Teenage forward Joe Grey is still awaiting scan results on his back injury but Challinor is hopeful of an update shortly.

“Hopefully we’ll have some news on his CT scan before the weekend so we should get some news very soon,” he added. "We’re into a Bank Holiday weekend so hopefully we get some news now rather than waiting until Tuesday.”

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