Team news

Preston could pick five debutants Preston boss Graham Westley could field up to five debutants when Hartlepool visit Deepdale.

Recent postponements against Brentford and Tranmere have prevented January signings Chris Robertson, Rhys Murphy and Graham Cummins from making their North End bows, while free agents Nicky Hunt and Aaron Brown joined at the start of this month to further bolster Westley's defensive options.

Former Torquay centre-back Robertson is expected to start as Craig Morgan will finally serve his one-match ban for a red card against Yeovil at the end of January.

Paul Coutts will be absent from the Preston midfield for two games having picked up his 10th yellow card of the campaign during the same match.

Strike duo Iain Hume (hamstring) and Neil Mellor (knee) remain on the sidelines to bring Murphy and Cummins into contention, although the newcomers are most likely to feature from the substitutes' bench.

Hartlepool will be without James Poole for the game at Preston as the striker faces an extended spell on the sidelines.

Poole, out since Boxing Day, had an injection last week to aid his recovery from a hamstring injury and must allow that to settle before he can resume training.

Manager Neale Cooper has no new injury or suspension worries following Saturday's goalless home draw with Bournemouth, but striker Colin Larkin remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Another forward, Colin Nish, is pushing for a place in the starting line-up after stepping off the substitutes' bench at the weekend, although Cooper is expected to retain teenager Luke James up front alongside James Brown.

Preston vs Hartlepool

Last modified 22:22 14/02/12

Mayor's show gives Westley maiden win Danny Mayor's stunning second-half strike saw Graham Westley win his first game as Preston boss as Hartlepool were beaten 1-0 at Deepdale.

Yet the visitors, who lost for the first time in six games, dominated the first half and should have been out of sight by the time substitute Mayor settled matters with a 77th-minute screamer.

James Brown poked a weak shot at Thorsten Stuckmann before the goalkeeper saved from Antony Sweeney and the loose ball evaded Andy Monkhouse.

Then Luke James, Hartlepool's teenage talent again watched by a pack of scouts, tore past defender Jamie McAllister and curled a left-foot shot inches wide of the far post with Stuckmann beaten.

Preston's first shot on target came with the goal. Mayor ran at the defence after cutting in from the left and unleashed an unstoppable shot past Scott Flinders.