Pete Wild names Hartlepool United XI to face Hornchurch, with key return

Hartlepool United boss Pete Wild has named his starting XI for Saturday afternoon’s National League clash against Hornchurch, with Chelsea loanee Max Merrick returning in goal.

Pools will be hoping to bounce back from a 2-0 FA Cup defeat at the hands of Marine last time out, and will be eager to build on a 4-2 victory over Forest Green Rovers in their most recent league outing. At the time of writing, Wild’s men sit 21st in the table, having taken a dozen points from their opening 13 matches of the campaign.

For today’s clash, Merrick comes back into the side between the sticks, with Maxim Kouogun, Reiss McNally, Sam Lavelle operating in a three at the back, and Neo Eccleston and Max Clark out wide.

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In midfield, Nathan Sheron and Jamie Miley form a central two, with Cole Deeming in a more advanced role. Up top Jordan Hugill starts alongside Will Harris.

Hartlepool’s bench is made up of Nathan Fisher, Liam Gibson, Jack Hunter, Brooklyn Ilunga, Luke Charman, Jack Nolan, and Chris Popov.

For their part, Hornchurch stormed past Uxbridge in the FA Cup last weekend, and currently sit ninth in the National League.

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