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.Clark would be the most likely candidate to fill in should Liddle's injury prove serious.Winger Andy Monkhouse is available after serving a one-game suspension, with Leon McSweeney expected to drop to the bench.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.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.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.However, Jermaine Beckford levelled for Leeds 13 minutes later before Luciano Becchio put the home side in front on the stroke of half-time.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."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."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."

Source: Team_Talk