Hartlepool United will make the long trip to National League rivals Truro City this weekend.

Hartlepool United assistant manager Gary Liddle has hinted Nicky Featherstone could opt for a change in formation at the top end of the pitch as his side prepare for Saturday’s long trip to National League rivals Truro City.

Recent signing Charlie Caton was handed a start in the main role in attack during a narrow home loss against FC Halifax Town at the weekend - but the on-loan Accrington Stanley man was unable to add to his debut goal in a 3-2 defeat against York City as he drew a blank for the third consecutive game. Featherstone opted to replace Caton with top goalscorer Alex Reid with 25 minutes remaining but the former Oldham Athletic and Stevenage striker was unable to find a breakthrough.

A goal inside the last ten minutes from former Gateshead and Sunderland forward Will Harris proved to be the difference between the two sides when the full-time whistle was blown and the defeat has left Pools sitting five points from the play-off places in non-league football’s top tier. There have been some suggestions Featherstone could considering pairing Reid and Caton in attack as he looks to find a spark at the top end of the pitch after his side failed to find the net in home losses against Halifax and Sutton United over the last week. Liddle stressed any possible changes will be considered and would only be implemented if Featherstone feels like it is ‘the right thing to do’.

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Speaking after Saturday’s defeat against Halifax, Liddle told The Mail: “I think if you are going to do that you are probably only looking at a 4-4-2 or a 3-5-2. So it’s something to look at I guess - but I don’t think if you look at the profiles of Charlie and Reidy, they’re pretty similar. Neither of them are that big, strong holdup player. They’re both like to play within the box and get chances in and around the box. He worked his socks off, Charlie, and we didn’t quite get the service or support he would have wanted.

“We made a change bringing Reidy on in the hope that it would get us a goal. I don’t think he really had a chance - but Feaths will look at it and if it’s something that feels right to do and change formation and get two up top then I’m sure he will do that. Our best performances recently have been in the shape we played today and played against Carlisle when we were very, very good so it can work and we are quite aware we have the players in the building to swap and change when needs be.”

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