Liam Henderson looks set to make his debut when Hartlepool take on Northampton, who are missing Jason Crowe.
Henderson set for bow; Crowe ruled out
Liam Henderson looks set to make his debut when Hartlepool take on Northampton, who are missing Jason Crowe.
Striker Henderson joined Pools on a loan deal from Watford on Thursday and will stay at the club where he started his career until mid-April.
Fellow forward Joel Porter is unlikely to overcome the Achilles problem which ruled him out against Oldham on Monday night, meaning Henderson will partner Michael Mackay or David Foley in attack.
Andy Monkhouse impressed after coming on as a makeshift striker in the defeat at Boundary Park and he may be involved again.
Caretaker manager Chris Turner is hoping full-back Antony Sweeney will overcome an ankle injury to feature, but Jamie McCunnie will keep his place if Sweeney is ruled out.
Cobblers team news
Northampton manager Stuart Gray will be without Crowe for the Friday night trip to Victoria Park.
Crowe was sent off for a trip on Gary Roberts during last weekend's 1-1 draw with Huddersfield - his second red card of the season - and begins a two-match suspension.
Utility player Danny Jackman picked up a knee injury during that match and has been rated as 50/50 to face Pools while midfielder Luke Guttridge is definitely out.
Guttridge has a calf injury and has been ruled out for a minimum of three weeks as Gray is down to the bare bones in midfield.
However wing-back Liam Davis is back from suspension and captain Chris Doig could make his first appearance since November.
Doig has been out with a hamstring problem but came through 90 minutes of the reserves' defeat to Colchester in midweek and will travel with the rest of Gray's 13 fit professionals.
