Hartlepool United FC vs Plymouth Argyle - Hartlepool without Michael Duckworth for Plymouth clash

Posted Friday, December 18, 2015 by PA

Hartlepool full-back Michael Duckworth will miss Saturday's game against Plymouth through injury.

Duckworth sat out Pools' FA Cup replay win over Salford City with a stomach strain which is set to rule him out of the entire festive period.

Carl Magnay was forced off in that game with a groin injury and faces a late fitness test, which could lead to a recall for either Scott Harrison or Jordan Richards.

Kal Naismith is back after a three-game lay-off but Billy Paynter (Achilles) and Harry Worley (ankle) remain sidelined.

Plymouth hope goalkeeper Luke McCormick will return to bolster the injury-hit Pilgrims.

McCormick has missed the last five games with groin and finger injuries but he was on the bench for the 2-1 home defeat to Cambridge last weekend.

Plymouth have won only once in seven games to drop from top spot to third place in the League Two table.

It is a run of form which has coincided with the absence of strikers Reuben Reid (hip) and Graham Carey (knee) and on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder Hiram Boateng (ankle) and the trio remain absent, while Josh Simpson could also be missing again.