Hartlepool United v Northampton Town: Craig Hignett has fitness boost for Pools

Luke James: Injury worry. Picture by FRANK REID

The Pools boss expects to have defender Dan Jones (knee) fit after the left-back missed last Saturday’s defeat at Luton Rown.

But midfielder Michael Woods (hamstring) looks like missing the visit of the League Two leaders while striker Luke James (thigh) remains a doubt.

“We will assess Lukey,” reported Hignett at his media conference.

“I think he’s not far off [being fit], he may do something today, but Woodsy won’t make it.

“Dan is all right.

“He wasn’t happy with a little niggle in his knee last Friday when we went down to Luton.

“I just felt it best for him not play at Saturday, give him a rest and see what he is like this week.”

Jones had started Hignett’s first two games in charge, ending the 100 per cent attendance record of Jake Carroll.

The Irishman played at Kenilworth Road last week and performed solidly while James may similarly find it difficult to dislodge any of the advanced players who played at Luton, where Billy Paynter was ‘flanked’ by Jake Gray and Nathan Thomas.