Hartlepool United will hope to kickstart an upturn in fortunes under new head coach Pete Wild when they return to National League action with a home game against Hornchurch on Saturday.
Last weekend’s shock FA Cup defeat against National League North club Marine provoked a brutal response from Wild and the new man in charge of Victoria Park could opt to make changes as his side look to open up a gap to the clubs currently sitting in the relegation zone.
As it stands ahead of Saturday’s meeting with the National League newcomers, Pools are only being kept out of the bottom four by a superior goal difference - but they will at least go into the game having won their last league fixture with a 4-2 victory at Forest Green Rovers. So how could the Pools side look when they face Hornchurch this weekend?
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1. Max Thompson
Max Merrick is not expected to be ready to return so Thompson will retain his place (photo Frank Reid) | Frank Reid
2. Neo Eccleston
Eccleston will retain his place on the right-hand side of the back four (photo Chris Fryatt) | Hartlepool Mail, Chris Fryatt
3. Reiss McNally
The centre back has been a consistent presence in the Pools back four (photo Chris Fryatt) | Hartlepool Mail, Chris Fryatt
4. Sam Lavelle
The centre-back produced a solid enough debut against Marine and could have earned another start (photo Chris Fryatt) | Hartlepool Mail, Chris Fryatt