Waiting game for Westley Graham Westley will assess his walking wounded before Preston look to return to winning ways against Hartlepool. Midfielder Keith Keane is likely to miss out again through injury alongside skipper John Mousinho (hamstring). Fellow midfielder John Welsh suffered a gash to his shin during Saturday's 2-1 home loss to Crawley, a bruising encounter that Westley claims leaves five other members of his weekend starting XI doubtful. "We took a lot of knocks," he told North End's official website. "Half a dozen of them were in for treatment on Sunday and they have all got doubts over their heads for Tuesday night. "We have already seen freshness has been a bonus for us this season. That is what we have a squad for - when you get a few bruises on a Saturday you dig into your squad and you put a team together to go and do the job on Tuesday. That's why the squad is so essential if you want to go and win games." Joel Byrom is pushing for a start in midfield having completed 45 minutes for the second game in succession, although Lee Holmes (gashed leg) and striker Lee Trundle (knee) remain on the sidelines. Defender Neil Austin is expected to return to Hartlepool's squad following his suspension. The full-back missed Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bournemouth due to his dismissal the previous week against Carlisle, but could return to the starting line-up. Teenager Jack Baldwin stepped in for Austin, while Simon Walton made a goalscoring return to the side, and manager Neale Cooper must decide whether to retain a five-man midfield. He has no new injury or suspension worries to contend with and Peter Hartley is once more expected to partner Sam Collins in central defence. Striker James Poole is pushing for a recall to the side while defender Craig Lynch is pressing for his first start as Pools chase their first away win of the season.
Source: PA
