Late test for Flinders
Hartlepool goalkeeper Andy Rafferty could make his first league start in nearly two years against Southend if Scott Flinders fails a fitness test.
First-choice Flinders sustained a gluteus injury in the midweek Capital One Cup defeat at Nottingham Forest and was replaced by Rafferty, who is on stand-by to make his first appearance since November 2011.
Defender Peter Hartley left the club in midweek to join Stevenage, so Darren Holden is expected to start at left-back.
Midfielder SimonWalton returned to the starting line-up in midweek and hopes to retain his place, while striker Steve Howard, who has stepped off the bench in Pools' first two matches, is hoping to make his first start of the season.
Southend will be without Julian Bennett for the trip as the defender starts his road to recovery.
Bennett has been ruled out for around six months having ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in Tuesday's Capital One Cup defeat to Yeovil.
Midfielder Marc Laird hopes to be fit having sat out in midweek with a slight knock.
Winger Kevan Hurst (knee) has missed both Southend's matches at the start of the new season and will again be assessed.
Source: PA
