Chris Turner will rotate his Hartlepool United side during a hectic period of fixtures – starting with tomorrow's League One clash at home to MK Dons.
Pools' director of sport is expected to make three changes, with first-choice central defenders Gary Liddle (hamstring) and Sam Collins (Achilles) fit again and new signing Joe Gamble replacing the suspended Peter Hartley.
With Steve Haslam (herni
a) and Denis Behan (ankle) back in training again and James Brown (knee) not far away from full fitness, Turner has the opportunity to introduce fresh legs at Charlton and Bristol Rovers next week.
Turner said: "When everybody's fit, we've got good competition and options.
"We've got three games in seven days for the next two weeks. From having no games, they're all going to be piled up on us.
"We will utilise the squad over the three-game period so we have fresh legs in each game."
The arrival of Gamble gives Turner a different midfield option.
Turner believes the absence of a tough-tackling midfielder has been the source of Pools' defensive woes since Willie Boland's career was ended in August 2008.
"I've always been looking at our team and our midfield has not been competitive enough," said Turner.
"It puts a lot of pressure on the back four and goalkeeper and they take the criticism.
"For me, it's always been the players and the shape of the team in front of them.
"When we've been good, it's been because we've been solid in midfield."
