Luton Town v Hartlepool United: Hawkins poised for Pools start

Lewis Hawkins looks set for a return to the Hartlepool United starting XI after his supersub show in midweek.
Lewis Hawkins (left) battles for Pools against Notts CountyLewis Hawkins (left) battles for Pools against Notts County
Lewis Hawkins (left) battles for Pools against Notts County

Hawkins made a big difference to Pools in midweek after being introduced at the interval with his side trailing Notts County 2-0.

With the 22-year-old driving the side forward through the middle, the hosts pulled the score back to 2-2 only to concede a late winner to Jon Stead.

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However, Hawkins should have done enough to earn a start at Luton Town tomorrow.

Boss Craig Hignett was giving no clues away to the make-up of his XI which will walk out at Kenilworth Road, but the manager said he was impressed with Hawkins.

“Hawks has great energy,” said Hignett. “He did really well when he came on.

“He had a great effect on the game and that was fantastic for me to see.

“He really took his chance.”

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Hawkins shone in a 4-4-2 after Hignett changed his favoured 4-3-3 at the interval.

The boss is likely to revert to his favoured system and there could be a return to for Nicky Featherstone after Pools struggled with ball retention in the midweek setback.

Hignett hopes fellow midfielder Michael Woods is fit for selection, though he said there were a couple of players carrying knocks.

“He’s all right, but we’ll assess him,” said Hignett. “He came off and felt his hamstring, hopefully it’s not too bad and he’ll be OK.

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“We have a couple of doubts which we’ll assess [today] but having worked with the squad I’m confident we can cope with any injury problems we might have.”

Pools (probable): Carson, Magnay, Bates, Jackson, Jones, Featherstone, Hawkins, Gray, James, Paynter, Thomas.

Subs (from): Bartlett, Richards, Carroll, Harrison, Woods, Oates, Fenwick, Bingham.