Walsall 3-1 Hartlepool United RECAP: George Miller double ends Pools' unbeaten run

Graeme Lee faces an anxious wait on the fitness of several of his first team squad with the likes of Bryn Morris and Jamie Sterry in a race to prove their fitness ahead of Hartlepool United’s meeting with Walsall.

Should both Sterry and Reagan Ogle miss out, as the did on Tuesday, Lee may be forced into playing midfielder Martin Smith at fullback after the 26-year-old came off the bench against Colchester United to complete the game in that role.

Morris took a knock on the ankle in the 1-1 draw with Sutton United and was described as ‘touch and go’ for this afternoon’s meeting.

But with Lee optimistic about three of those on the treatment table returning to training on Friday, the Hartlepool Mail predicts two changes to the side who came from behind to beat Colchester on Tuesday night with Neill Byrne missing out through suspension and Zaine Francis-Angol through injury.

PREDICTED XI: Killip, Sterry, Liddle, Odusina, Ferguson, Featherstone (c), Shelton, Crawford, White, Molyneux, Bogle

Pools chairman Raj Singh says now is the ‘correct time to invest into this part of the club’ and subject to approval of a licence, the club say a new EFL Category 4 Academy status would see ‘significant investment into a performance pathway that identifies and develops young players’.

Hartlepool United have announced they are working with the EFL on an application to have a Category 4 Academy in place for next season.

Chairman Raj Singh said: ‘’Lee [Rust] has been talking to me about the club academy model for nearly 18 months now and there has been a huge amount of work going on in the background that supporters won’t be aware of to reach even this stage.

“We believe we now have the right plan in place and it is the correct time to invest into this part of the club with a longer term view.”

There was a new signing at the Banks’s Stadium on Friday ahead of Hartlepool United’s visit to Walsall, and it will be a familiar face for Graeme Lee.

Experienced attacker Lee Tomlin has joined on a deal until the end of the season and, subject to international clearance, the 33-year-old arriving on a free transfer.

He has previously played for Peterborough United, Cardiff City and Middlesbrough and could be involved against Pools.

🗣️ Tomlin: “I’m happy to be here. I remember the first day I first came in I enjoyed training, enjoyed being around the lads and that’s all I want to do – enjoy football again

“I’ve had a few months out, got myself fit again so hopefully I can kick on and do my best for Walsall”

It’s been a demanding month for Graeme Lee and his Hartlepool United side as they prepare to face Walsall.

Pools are enduring a testing month, both physically and mentally, with the trip to Walsall their eighth game in four weeks as the Saturday-Tuesday scheduling has been in full flow.

But despite such a taxing schedule, Pools have been able to remain unbeaten throughout, winning four and drawing four of their last eight League Two games.

“It’s been a lot of games,” admitted Lee.

“It was a run of games where you looked at it and thought, can you get through this run of games with as few injuries as possible?

“It’s been a challenging one and you think you’re getting somewhere and the last week has just highlighted how difficult things are.

“But we’ve utilised the squad as well as we can and thankfully, I’ve got enough to fulfil the squad and team.”

And Pools face another tricky test as they head to the Banks’s Stadium for what will be Michael Flynn’s first home game in charge of the Saddlers.

Flynn, who left Newport County earlier in the season, was appointed Walsall’s new manager last week and began his reign with a high profile win away at runaway League Two leaders Forest Green Rovers before a crushing 5-0 defeat at Swindon Town.

“Believe me I watched that game and the result said 5-0 but they could have taken the lead many times in that game,” said Lee.

“They’re aggressive, they’re on the front foot, they want to go forward. They’ve had a new manager come in and they had an unbelievable result the week before against Forest Green. So it’s going to be a test.”

Hartlepool United arrive at the Banks’s Stadium with a number of question marks regarding the fitness of a handful of their players as the fixture list continues to take its toll on Graeme Lee’s squad.

Lee was forced into three changes ahead of last week’s draw with Sutton United at the Suit Direct Stadium with fullbacks Jamie Sterry and David Ferguson missing out along with forward Joe Grey.

Ferguson returned from a bout of illness for the midweek success over Colchester United and was one of two changes as stand-in fullback Reagan Ogle and midfielder Bryn Morris both missed out with ankle injuries.

It meant Zaine Francis-Angol would occupy the right back role at the Jobserve Community Stadium before he, too, came off with an injury that is likely to see him miss this afternoon’s trip to Walsall.

But Pools boss Lee was hopeful there would be some good news on the injury front ahead of today’s game.

“I think there’s three coming back in who missed the other night but they’ve got to get through training and then I can assess where we want to go.

“There’s a few bumps and bruises from the other night and a few injury concerns.

“But lads are getting on the training field today so fingers crossed they get through the session and make themselves available”

And one of those players returning could be a right back after Francis-Angol was drafted into the role before going off with a hamstring injury.

“Maybe,” Lee told The Mail.

“Unfortunately Zaine got a bit of a twinge so he might be struggling but hopefully there’s a couple of others coming back in.”

Good afternoon and a warm welcome from the Banks’s Stadium here in Walsall as Hartlepool United continue their mammoth run of fixtures in February.

Graeme Lee’s side face their seventh fixture of the month following Tuesday night’s success over Colchester United at the Jobserve Community Stadium.

And Pools will be looking to maintain their momentum by extending their unbeaten league run to nine games here this afternoon.

Be sure to stay with us here at the Hartlepool Mail as we guide you through all the team news and every kick here in the Midlands.