Mansfield v Hartlepool preview

Team news for Saturday's League Two clash between Mansfield and Hartlepool at One Call Stadium.

The Stags have no new problems but manager Paul Cox may opt to make changes against Hartlepool to freshen up his team. The Stags stretched their unbeaten league run to eight matches with a 1-0 win at local rivals Chesterfield, ending the League Two leaders' unbeaten start to the season. Cox has noticed the run is starting to take its toll on some of his players and plans to give some a break, with the likes of Matt Rhead, Lee Stevenson, Jake Speight, Lindon Meikle, Colin Daniel, Ollie Palmer and the fit again Keiran Murtagh all pushing for places. Defender Martin Riley will complete a three-match suspension so Ryan Tafazolli is expected to continue. Hartlepool teenager Brad Walker is hoping to return to action at Mansfield following an ankle injury. The 18-year-old, who sustained the injury in the recent home defeat to Wycombe and has missed the last three matches, will be assessed closer to kick-off. Pools will be without suspended striker Steve Howard, who starts a three-game ban following his straight red card six minutes after stepping off the bench as a late substitute in last week's home defeat to Oxford. Skipper Antony Sweeney is pushing for his first start since early August. The midfielder made a late appearance as substitute last week after being sidelined with a torn calf muscle.