Hartlepool v Oldham preview

Team news ahead of Tuesday's League One clash between Hartlepool and Oldham Athletic at Victoria Park.

Hartlepool are waiting on the availability of midfielder Antony Sweeney. Sweeney received a bang on the head in the closing stages of Saturday's goalless draw with Stevenage but is hoping to be included from the start. Manager Neale Cooper will be without Luke James again as the teenager rests a troublesome back that has kept him sidelined for the last five matches while fellow striker Colin Nish is still struggling with a knee injury. But central defender Sam Collins came through unscathed after overcoming a calf strain to last the full 90 minutes against Stevenage and striker James Poole (thigh) is pushing for a start after stepping off the bench on Saturday. Midfielder Gary Liddle (calf) made his return against Stevenage following a five-game absence and is likely to continue while Cooper may consider changes following two successive goalless draws. Meanwhile, Oldham will be without winger Filipe Morais for the clash. Morais suffered severe concussion in a car crash ahead of the 3-2 derby defeat to Rochdale on Saturday. The 26-year-old has since been released from the Royal Oldham Hospital but is set for a significant spell on the sidelines. Defender James Tarkowski will serve a one-match ban following his red card against Dale and captain Dean Furman (knee) misses out once more, although he is hoping to resume training later in the week after visiting a specialist on Monday. Fellow midfielder James Wesolowski (shoulder) and full-back Paul Black (hamstring) remain long-term absentees and centre-back Zander Diamond (thigh) is battling to return before the end of the season. Such problems have led to boss Paul Dickov calling 17-year-old second-year scholar Alex Parkes into the squad to face Pools. On-loan Manchester City striker Harry Bunn made his debut on Saturday and will hope to fend off the advances of Reuben Reid and keep his place in attack.