Two out for Hartlepool United as Dave Challinor previews Wrexham match at Victoria Park

Pools are yet to complete a league fixture since losing 5-0 at home to Torquay United on October 31. Since then, they were beaten 2-0 at Salford City in the FA Cup first round before their league match at Eastleigh was called off at half-time due to a waterlogged pitch.

As for Wrexham, they have been self-isolating after a member of their squad tested positive following their goalless draw at Barnet last month.

It's been over a month since either side picked up three points in the league so plenty is riding on the midweek match at The Vic.

And Pools boss Dave Challinor admits it has been difficult to prepare for the game under the circumstances.

“I’m not sure what to expect of Wrexham to be honest because they haven’t played since the end of October,” he said.

“It’s difficult to prepare but we focus on ourselves and we’ll look at them in terms of the system they’ve played and the personnel they’ve played and what they’ll try and do. But we’ve got to make sure we put in a performance that gives us the best opportunity to pick up three points which we didn’t have the opportunity to do on Saturday.”

Pools will be without defender Gary Liddle (groin) and Luke Williams after the midfielder lasted just 17-minutes on his return at Eastleigh on Saturday.

And Challinor is hoping to get as many matches ticked off as possible while he has a strong selection of players available.

“Other than Luke and Lidds, there are no further doubts at this stage,” he told The Mail.

“Hopefully we’ve no ill-effects from the Eastleigh game and we can pick a side who can go and win on Tuesday.

“I want to be playing as many games as we can while I know we’ve got players fit and available. There will come a time during the season where we’ll be missing some players and the squad will really be stretched.

"I’d much rather be playing games and it’s a quick turnaround and we’re back at home so it’s a chance to get three points on the board.”

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