Bury vs Hartlepool United FC preview - Soares set for late test

Posted Friday, February 20, 2015 by PA

Bury will hope Tom Soares can return to contention for Hartlepool's visit to the JD Stadium.

The midfielder missed last Saturday's win at Cheltenham with an ankle problem, but boss David Flitcroft revealed he was close to being fit enough to feature and another seven days may have worked in his favour.

Defender Adam El-Abd is nursing a minor hamstring complaint but is due to return either this weekend or next for the promotion-chasing Shakers.

Striker Ryan Lowe (hamstring) is still a fortnight away while centre-back Pablo Mills (groin) has only just started training again.

Hartlepool pair Matthew Bates and Scott Fenwick look set to miss the trip through injury.

Bates has yet to fully recover from the dead leg suffered against Portsmouth a fortnight ago, while Fenwick is struggling with an ankle issue which has hindered him in recent weeks.

A calf injury rules Tommy Miller out of a return to his former club and Stuart Parnaby remains sidelined with a long-term knee problem.

Rock-bottom Pools, who last won away from home on October 11, head into the clash seven points from safety.