JOEL Porter and Micky Nelson are likely to sit out Hartlepool United's vital game with Sheffield Wednesday tonight.

The visitors are one place and one point above Pool in the League One play-off zone with just four games to go.

Both sides are suffering from depleted squads and neither side is in spectacular form - Pool have won only twice in the last ten, the Owls have gone five without victory.

But Pool's task will be made all the harder if, as expected, ankle injuries rule out the influential duo.

Porter suffered an ankle injury in training last Friday and it forced him out of the draw at Colchester, while Nelson turned an ankle in the 1-1 draw at Layer Road.

Jon Daly will keep his place with Adam Boyd up front, while Steve Howey, a second-half substitute last Saturday, could make his first start in Nelson's absence.

Neale Cooper has the option of moving Ben Clark to centre back alongside Chris Westwood, but Howey is likely to get the nod with Clark staying at right-back.

"It's a massive game for us,'' said Pool assistant boss Martin Scott. "We've four to go. There was one eye on Brentford the other night and they won.

"There's a few clubs in the mix going for three places - Tranmere are as good as there then there's us, Wednesday, Brentford, Bournemouth and Huddersfield.

"I would certainly include Huddersfield, they are behind us all, but have been performing very well.

"There's three places up for grabs and five teams going for it.

"For us it's the second season in a row we've been pushing for the play-offs in a higher division, with four games to go which is great.

"Last season we made it on the final day and who is to say the same won't happen.

"Expectation levels have risen at the club, and that's perhaps understandable after what we achieved last season.

"We understood the frustration of the fans and everyone else last week when we drew with Peterborough at home, it was disappointing.''

Pool go to Bournemouth on the final day of the season in three weeks time and Scott added: "If you look at the overall picture, it's exciting once again.

"That's full credit to everyone at the club, players, staff, all staff not just the football staff and the owners.

"There's a great prize and a great incentive. Of course there was the disappointment of how it all ended last season, but it was exciting and it's the same again.

"We are actually a point better off this season than we were at this this stage last year.

"Four games to go, it's all to play for once again.''

Former Pool winger Paul Smith was yesterday handed a free transfer at Hillsbrough. Defender Graeme Lee, who moved from Pool at the same time as Smith, is out injured with a groin strain.

Alex Bruce, Zigor Aranalde and Glenn Whelan are all suspended.

* Pool have rejected Jim Provett's transfer request. The keeper, as revealed in yesterday's Northern Echo SPORT, asked to leave after being dropped last weekend.

A club statement read: "Hartlepool United Football Club confirm that we have received a letter from Jim Provett requesting that he be released from his current contract for no fee.

"The club has reviewed this and advised him that we will not agree to the request and that we expect him to honour the remaining period of the contract he signed in January 2004.''

* Tickets for tonight's game are on sale until 5pm. There are none available on the turnstiles.

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