Source: Team_Talk
Pools wait on Liddle for Latics clash
The centre-back was forced off shortly after Pools conceded a second goal in their 3-1 defeat at Leeds on Boxing Day, with Ben Clark coming on in his place.[LNB]Clark would be the most likely candidate to fill in should Liddle's injury prove serious.[LNB]Winger Andy Monkhouse is available after serving a one-game suspension, with Leon McSweeney expected to drop to the bench.[LNB]Neil Austin showed no ill-effects on his return from a hamstring problem at Elland Road, playing 90 minutes, while forward Colin Larkin came on as a second-half substitute after a hamstring injury of his own and he could feature more prominently against the Latics.[LNB]Meanwhile, Pools director of sport Chris Turner hit out at referee Eddie Ilderton and his two assistants following the loss to Leeds on Boxing Day.[LNB]Hartlepool are still without a win at Elland Road but they took a 25th minute advantage when Ritchie Humphreys' corner was headed on by Adam Boyd and Iceland international Armann Bjornsson poked home.[LNB]However, Jermaine Beckford levelled for Leeds 13 minutes later before Luciano Becchio put the home side in front on the stroke of half-time.[LNB]Beckford grabbed his second in the 69th minute to secure the win but Turner believed the officials missed infringements in the build-up to all three of Leeds' goals.[LNB]"Although we lost the game I was very pleased with the way we played. We took the game to Leeds and took the lead but lost to a very strong, quality side and a referee and two linesmen who couldn't handle a big game," said Turner.[LNB]"I am pleased that my players came here and didn't freeze. They were undone by three incidents that led to goals. When the players complained they were told to stop moaning."[LNB][LNB]
