Hartlepool United FC vs Carlisle preview - Paynter could miss reunion with his former club Carlisle

Posted Friday, August 28, 2015 by PA

Hartlepool striker Billy Paynter is a doubt for the clash with his former club Carlisle.

Paynter, who has scored three times this season, has been struggling with a tight hamstring and came off in the midweek defeat to Bournemouth in the Capital One Cup.

A late decision will also be made on Michael Woods as he has been feeling pain in the ankle he broke last season, while a troublesome thigh injury could rule out fellow midfielder Brad Walker.

Harry Worley (ankle) may be back in the squad to face Sheffield United in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy next Tuesday, but Matthew Bates (Achilles), Trevor Carson (toe) and Jordan Richards (back) are still out.

Carlisle are set to recall top-scorer Jabo Ibehre for the clash.

Ibehre has been a revelation since his arrival on a free transfer, scoring seven times already, but was handed a cameo from the bench in the surprise Capital One Cup win over QPR on Tuesday.

Captain Danny Grainger suffered a knock in that match and will be assessed, with his replacement Troy Archibald-Henville hoping for a second straight league start after injury.

Patrick Brough, Angelo Balanta, Jason Kennedy and Bastien Hery look likely to be fighting for two starting spots.