Hartlepool United set for yet another game with Hull City

Hartlepool United’s second string return to action away to Hull City in the Final Third Development League tonight (kick-off 7pm) – the third time this calendar year that the two sides have faced each other.

Collins, the club’s assistant manager, is keen for his players to impress boss Ronnie Moore.

But he says it has been tough for his young side to work on things as a team because games have been few and far between and trialists have been playing regularly.

Collins told SportMail: “It has been hard for the reserves because the games come once every two or three weeks and that isn’t good for them.

“You are conscious about getting games for them every week because they are young players and need to develop but that isn’t always possible.

“It has been tough for the kids and we have had trialists in as well. It has never really settled down, where we have had the time to have a settled team.”

Lewis Hawkins recently joined high-flying Evo-Stik First Division North club Spennymoor Town on a month-long loan deal and the 21-year-old midfielder will benefit from the spell, says Collins.

He added: “It is good for Lewis [Hawkins] to go out on loan.

“I have known him a long time and he is a talented lad but he will go out and get the benefit of playing first team games every week.

“Getting experience under his belt and there are two or three more that will benefit from that as well.

“At this time of year you are struggling with injuries though and you don’t want to let too many out because you need a big enough squad.”

The second string lost 3-1 to Hull City in last week’s match at Bedford Terrace in the Final Third Development League East Division fixture.

Hull cruised to a comfortable 3-1 victory to maintain their place at the East Division summit thanks to goals from Jarrod Brown, Robbie McKenzie and Johan Ter Horst, Jordan Richards netting a late penalty for Pools.