Barnet vs Hartlepool United FC - Barnet hoping to extend unbeaten league run when they face Hartlepool

Posted Friday, March 04, 2016 by PA

Barnet will look to extend their unbeaten run in Sky Bet League Two to four games against Hartlepool but will have to do so without a handful of players.

The Bees were without injured duo Elliot Johnson (hip) and Shaun Batt (hamstring) against Plymouth on Tuesday and they will again miss out.

Veteran goalkeeper Graham Stack also sat out the 1-0 win over the Pilgrims as he continues his recovery from a long-standing groin problem.

Northampton loanee Chris Hackett is a long-term absentee and the midfielder will definitely sit out the clash against Pools.

Hartlepool defender Matthew Bates is a doubt for the trip after suffering an injury in the warm-up at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday evening but another experienced centre-back, Rob Jones, has been added to the squad.

Bates had been due to start the game at the Memorial Stadium, which ended in a 4-1 defeat, but hurt his back shortly before kick-off and was replaced by Scott Harrison, and his condition will be assessed.

Jones, 36, arrived on a short-term deal this week and could come straight in, while full-back Dan Jones may return after a knee problem following a run-out for the reserves on Wednesday. He could be joined by midfielder Michael Woods, who has overcome a hamstring strain.

Defender Harry Worley, who has not made a senior appearance since September because of an ankle injury, got 75 minutes under his belt for the second string in midweek, but the game is likely to come too early for him, while midfielder Michael Duckworth will be sidelined for a further two weeks following hernia surgery.