Hartlepool could welcome back midfielder Joe Gamble, but Walsall will be without captain Darren Byfield.
Gamble could make Pools return after reserves run-out
Hartlepool caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth could welcome back midfielder Joe Gamble for the home clash against Walsall.
Gamble made his return by playing 30 minutes in the reserves and could make the bench.
James Brown has been absent for the last three games and returned to training on Thursday but the Walsall clash is likely to come too soon for him. Ritchie Humphreys will continue to play as a make-shift striker.
Fellow striker Adam Boyd injured an ankle in the reserves this week and is doubtful while Scott Flinders underwent thumb surgery this week and joined fellow goalkeeper Andy Rafferty on the sidelines with on-loan Jake Kean continuing between the sticks.
Neil Austin will keep his place at full-back after completing 90 minutes in the goalless stalemate with Brentford last time.
Saddlers news
Walsall will be without captain Darren Byfield for the trip north.
The striker has been ruled out of action for at least two weeks having landed awkwardly on his knee during last weekend's 2-1 loss to Swindon - a result which inflicted a fifth successive defeat on the Saddlers.
On-loan Wolves midfielder David Davis also limped off during the encounter but has trained all week and should be fine.
Chris Hutchings' only other absentees remain Steve Jones (ankle) and Richard Taundry (knee), who have been missing since late August and still do not look like returning to the fold just yet.
Struggling Hartlepool are also winless in three and still waiting for their first taste of success on home soil, handing the Saddlers cause for optimism as they look to end their wretched run of form.
