Guisborough Town/Seaham Red Star-Hartlepool United: Hignett names Pools teams

Hignett will be in charge of the game at the King George V Ground against Boro (kick-off 7.45pm), while first-team coach Curtis Fleming will be in the dug out at Seaham Town Park (kick-off 7.30pm).

The Pools boss has mixed luck on the fitness front.

Trevor Carson has recovered from a sore toe to be the last line of defence at Guisborough, while, on the subject of defence, Rob Jones has shaken off a bruised foot to start at centre-back at Seaham.

Hignett had oped to have Jake Orrell available but the diminutive forward has been unable to overcome a thigh injury, while Nathan Thomas is ruled out with a knee problem.

The two defensive triallists are at different locations, Liam Donnelly will be at right-back against Guisborough with Scott Harrison at Seaham.

It may be a difficult dilemma for fans to choose which ground to visit.

Pools had 104 fans make the long trek to Livingston on Saturday, when the side drew 0-0.

Hignett said he was made up by the number of Poolies travelling to support his team in pre-season.

“It would have been nice to have given them some goals,” he said.

“But I’m sure they will not have gone away too disappointed by what they have seen.

“I think we controlled the game, played some nice football but that last bit isn’t quite there yet, but we’ll do a lot of work on that over the next 10 days.

“When the season comes we’ll be ready.”

Admission at Guisbrough is £4 (adults) and £2 (concessions) and £5 and £3 at Seaham.

Pools v Guisborough: Carson, Donnelly, Bates, Nsiala, Carroll, Featherstone, Woods, Hawkins, Alessandra, Paynter, Amond.

Subs: Dudzinski, Pollock, Green.

Pools v Seaham Red Star: Bartlett, Magnay, Harrison, Jones, Richards, Walker, Deverdics, Laurent, Smith, Blackford, Oates.

Subs: Martin, Nearney, Richardson.