Hartlepool V Portsmouth at Victoria Park : Match Preview

28 April 2016 15:34
Hartlepool V Portsmouth - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Hartlepool could welcome back Billy Paynter for Portsmouth encounter

Hartlepool boss Craig Hignett could have leading scorer Billy Paynter back for Saturday's League Two clash with Portsmouth.

Paynter has missed the last five games with the hamstring problem he picked up at Carlisle on April 5, but is hoping to be back in contention for this weekend.

Harry Worley has returned to training after a long-term ankle injury which has sidelined him since September, but fellow defender Scott Harrison will sit out the rest of the campaign after fracturing a metatarsal in training.

Hignett's men will look to end the season on a high following defeat in their last two games after winning seven of the previous 11 to drag themselves clear of trouble at the foot of the table.

Portsmouth secured themselves a play-off place last weekend with victory over AFC Wimbledon, despite manager Paul Cook claiming his squad is suffering from an "injury crisis".

Cook would not reveal who was missing for the trip to London but Matthew Clarke, Gareth Evans and Marc McNulty were conspicuous by their absence.

Adam Webster, Kyle Bennett and Conor Wilkinson were also ruled out having been expected to be absentees.

Portsmouth's injury woes continued in the 1-0 win as goalkeeper Paul Jones was forced off at the interval with a thigh problem and Brian Murphy is set to deputise at Victoria Park.


Source: PAR