Cambridge United vs Hartlepool United FC - Cambridge well equipped for home encounter

Cambridge manager Shaun Derry has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from as they welcome Hartlepool to the Abbey Stadium on Saturday.

The Us boss is expected to start with the same line-up which drew 0-0 with Luton after calling them "defensively excellent" in the post-match interview with the press.

Cambridge have not won in three games and face a Hartlepool side who sit just six points above the relegation places.

Greg Taylor remains a long-term absentee after being ruled out for the rest of the season requiring ankle surgery from an injury suffered against Dagenham on Boxing Day.

Hartlepool boss Ronnie Moore could make changes in the wake of Tuesday night's disappointing 3-1 defeat at Accrington.

However, loan striker Ellis Harrison is likely to keep his place after impressing despite a poor team performance.

Striker Billy Paynter scored for the reserves on Thursday after a two-and-a-half-month lay-off with an Achilles injury, but he, like defender Matthew Bates (toe), who also played 60 minutes in a 4-0 victory over Rotherham's second string, is unlikely to be involved at senior level this weekend.

The impending return of the experienced duo will come as a boost to Moore, who is still without Carl Magnay (groin), Michael Duckworth (stomach) and Harry Worley (ankle).