Crawley Town V Hartlepool at Broadfield Stadium : Match Preview

26 April 2013 11:31
Crawley Town V Hartlepool - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Essam back for Crawley

Connor Essam could return to the Crawley squad for the visit of Hartlepool.

The defender has missed Town's last two matches with the thigh strain he suffered against Coventry, but he is back in training and should be available.

Boss Richie Barker has no new injury concerns as he looks to end the season with back-to-back wins following Tuesday's victory over Preston.

Skipper Josh Simpson came through the full 90 minutes on what was only his second start in two months following an ankle injury so he is set to continue in midfield.

Kyle McFadzean remains the only definite absentee, with the defender now looking towards getting a full pre-season under his belt after his campaign was wrecked by a virus.

Hartlepool manager John Hughes is expected to name an unchanged starting line-up.

Hughes, who has no new injury or suspension worries, is unlikely to tinker with the side that extended their unbeaten run to three matches last week with a draw against Brentford.

That will mean a place among the substitutes again for experienced pair Antony Sweeney and Evan Horwood, while midfielder Nathan Luscombe is also pushing for a recall.

Striker James Poole is expected to miss out again as he is struggling with a leg injury, and teenage defender Jordan Richards (knee) remains a long-term absentee.

Pools were relegated following Oldham's recent win over Yeovil, but have taken seven points from the last nine available, with successive wins over Bury and Tranmere before taking a point from Brentford last week.

Source: PA