Hartlepool v Exeter preview

Hartlepool hope to welcome back striker James Brown when Exeter travel to Victoria Park.

Brown could return for Pools; Taylor misses out for Spireites

Hartlepool hope to welcome back striker James Brown when Exeter travel to Victoria Park for their League One clash. Brown returned to training this week after recovering from the ankle injury which kept him out of last weekend's defeat at MK Dons and could come straight back into the starting line-up. Midfielder Joe Gamble will play no part against the Grecians as he remains sidelined with an ankle problem. Defender Neil Austin played an hour for the reserve team in midweek and will be hoping to get the nod to return to the starting line-up for the first time since the opening day of the season after shaking off an ankle problem. Teenage goalkeeper Jake Kean will be on the bench after signing from Blackburn on Thursday to provide back-up for Scott Flinders, with Andy Rafferty (broken fingers) out for three months.

Spireites news

Exeter will once again be without skipper Matt Taylor when they make the long journey to Hartlepool. The defender is struggling with a back injury and although a scan revealed no serious damage, he is still not ready to return. Former Tottenham trainee Troy Archibald-Henville will keep his place in the starting line-up in the absence of Taylor. Striker Marcus Stewart also remains sidelined as he has been troubled by back spasms but boss Paul Tisdale has no other injury problems to contend with. Stand-in skipper Steve Tully will face Pools despite having 12 stitches in a wound above his eye during the victory over Charlton last weekend. Strike duo Jamie Cureton and Richard Logan will be hoping to be recalled to the starting line-up.