Northampton Town vs Hartlepool United FC - Northampton wait on Alfie Potter fitness ahead of Pools clash

Posted Friday, October 09, 2015 by PA

Alfie Potter will be assessed before Northampton's Sky Bet League Two contest with Hartlepool.

The winger has missed the last three fixtures with a dead leg but manager Chris Wilder hopes he can prove his fitness and come back into contention.

Wilder, who criticised the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in midweek, confirmed he will not make too many changes from the XI which defeated high-flying Wycombe on the road last weekend.

Wilder also said that none of Evan Horwood (groin), Brendan Moloney, Paul Corry, Rod McDonald (all knee) and Ricky Holmes (back) are ready to come back into the fold yet.

Hartlepool goalkeeper Trevor Carson could make his first start of the season at Sixfields, but the versatile Carl Magnay starts a six-match suspension.

Summer signing Carson has struggled with a toe injury sustained in pre-season but played 90 minutes for the reserves in midweek and may now be preferred to Adam Bartlett.

The club have opted against appealing the misconduct charge Magnay received for allegedly spitting at a Wycombe supporter following his dismissal in Pools' 2-1 defeat at the start of September and he begins a lengthy ban.

Full-back Michael Duckworth is set to resume training after a hamstring injury but this game comes too soon and central defender Harry Worley is still struggling with an ankle problem.