Hartlepool welcome League One mid-table rivals Carlisle United to Victoria Park on Tuesday.
Mid-table rivals hope to secure bragging rights at Victoria Park
Hartlepool welcome League One mid-table rivals Carlisle United to Victoria Park on Tuesday.
Home side director of sport Chris Turner has no fresh injury concerns for the clash.
Left winger Matty Robson and right-back Antony Sweeney both played the full 90 minutes of the 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round defeat to West Ham after overcoming calf and ankle problems, respectively, and they should continue.
Sam Collins was an unused substitute for that game despite his recovery from a hip injury, with Ben Clark keeping his place alongside Michael Nelson in the centre of defence.
Bridges return
Young striker Liam Henderson, on loan from Watford, replaced Michael Mackay just before the hour against the Hammers and Turner may opt to throw him in from the start.
James Brown and Willie Boland (both knee) remain long-term absentees.
Striker Michael Bridges could make his return for Carlisle after the former Leeds forward missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury.
However, the game will come too quickly for Jeff Smith who is still recovering from a hip injury he picked up against the MK Dons and the midfielder is also unlikely to face Colchester at the weekend.
There could also be changes in defence after Abbott criticised his centre-back pairing of Danny Livesey and Peter Murphy following the 4-1 defeat to Tranmere.
