A Beast of a question for Hartlepool United

Pools host the Dons on Saturday and boss Ronnie Moore is expecting his centre backs to be given a tough workout by Dons striker Adebayo Akinfenwa.

The 16-stone frontman – nicknamed The Beast – has scored 13 goals this campaign and he is the danger man Scott Harrison and David Mirfin are tasked with keeping quiet.

There is hope though, given the Dons are one of the few teams Pools have beaten this season.

Back in August, when Colin Cooper was still manager, Pools won 2-1 away thanks to goals from Marlon Harewood and on-loan Charlie Wyke.

The Pools defence that day of Sam Collins and Matthew Bates managed to contain Akinfenwa well, but Moore is all too familiar with the threat he poses.

And he knows Harrison and on-loan Scunthorpe United defender Mirfin have to be on their game.

Moore told SportMail: “It’s Wimbledon next up and it’s a tough one for us.

“They are big and strong and Akinfenwa is a handful.

“Our two centre-halves were good against Bury but they didn’t have that physical presence up front.

“They will be asked different questions this weekend when Wimbledon visit.

“They will try and boss you and the centre halves have to be on it.

“But we have to try and play as well as competing.

“We have to get it down more and there was times at Bury when we played and this weekend we have to play more.”

Wimbledon are 10th in Sky Bet League Two seven points from a play-off spot, while Pools prop up the rest of the division, eight points from safety.