Team news

As you were for Pools Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper will pick his starting line-up for the home game with Notts County from an unchanged squad for the fourth game running.

Cooper has no new injury or suspension worries and is expected start with the same line-up that kicked-off at Preston in midweek.

Defender Steve Haslam and forward Colin Nish stepped off the substitutes' bench on Tuesday night and are both pushing for a place in the starting line-up.

James Poole is still sidelined with a troublesome hamstring despite the aid of an injection last week and fellow striker Colin Larkin (knee) remains a long-term absentee.

The 1-0 midweek defeat at Preston was Pools' first in six league matches and Cooper's side currently lie 10 points adrift of the play-offs with 16 games to play.

Notts County are keeping an eye on midfield duo Alan Judge and Neal Bishop.

Judge and captain Bishop played against Exeter on Tuesday night despite carrying injuries, with Judge replaced eight minutes from the end. Both men are being assessed and a late decision will be made on their fitness.

Should either player miss out, Hamza Bencherif, who came on for Judge in midweek, Ishmel Demontagnac and Cristian Montano would come into contention to start.

Manager Martin Allen has other options should he wish to make changes. Defenders Alan Sheehan, Krystian Pearce and Sam Sodje and striker Jonathan Forte are all available for recalls.

Hartlepool vs Notts County

Last modified 17:52 18/02/12

Pools give Magpies sinking feeling Hartlepool coasted to a 3-0 win over Notts County, climbing up to ninth in the League One table in the process.

After a first loss in six games at Preston in midweek, Pools bounced back in style.

Luke James scuffed a close range effort wide and James Brown headed wastefully over as the hosts got a hold on the game and they deservedly went ahead after 38 minutes.

Evan Horwood crossed from the left and midfielder Antony Sweeney was free to head home from 10 yards out.

Pools went close again just before half-time as Sweeney lofted his shot wayward at the far post.

But after 55 minutes, Sweeney did grab his second goal. A well-weighted Andy Monkhouse pass played in the advancing Neil Austin and, from his low cross, Sweeney swept in his sixth of the season and his fourth in five games.

Sweeney then set up Monkhouse for the third, playing a low reverse pass for the attacker to cut inside and curl in a low finish.