Newcastle United beaten again - this time by Hartlepool United

Craig Hignett says he has a selection headache after watching Hartlepool United beat Newcastle United 3-1.
Rakish Bingham: Reserve dateRakish Bingham: Reserve date
Rakish Bingham: Reserve date

A Pools XI beat a Magpies reserve side 3-1 yesterday in a behind-closed-doors friendly, less than 24 hours after the first team were hammered 4-1 at Bristol Rovers.

It has given the Pools boss food for thought as he prepares for Saturday’s crucial League Two trip to in-form Barnet.

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His reserve side includes the likes of Rakish Bingham, Dan Jones, Ebby Nelson-Addy, Kudus Oyenuga, Connor Smith and comeback man Harry Worley.

“I want all the lads champing at the bit and to be fair they have,” said Hignett at his media conference today.

“We had a reserve game against Newcastle and all the lads did really well, put in a really good performance and won the game.

“The players did a lot of good things I liked so I have a good problem for the weekend.”

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While Hignett added that he has “total faith” in his players, he said that there could be a piece of transfer business.

With Matthew Bates troubled with a back problem and Pools conceding four goals in midweek, it would be no shock if a central defender was added to the squad.

“At the moment I have total faith in the lads,” said Hignett.

“We are trying to do something this week, it’s not sorted yet but hopefully it will be by the weekend.”