DANNY Wilson insists Hartlepool United's weekend workload won't present a problem.

Pools go to Accrington Stanley today before they face Rochdale at Victoria Park in a live televised FA Cup replay on Monday night.

While Newcastle United's recent weak performance at home to Sheffield United was put down to playing two games in 48 hours after the game was brought forward because of TV interest, Wilson is sure that excuse won't be trotted out come Monday night.

"Playing two games in three days doesn't really bother us,'' he insisted. "It's never been mentioned and the way players are these days and the way they prepare themselves, everyone will be ready and OK for Monday.

"It's the same for Rochdale, but they have to travel to Barnet and then come up to us, so perhaps it's going to be a bit harder for them.

"But we've both got it to come and we have to address the league game first. Accrington on Saturday is the priority for us.''

Pools have not won since September 30, a run of five League Two games.

That is in stark contrast to September's run of form, which brought Wilson a manager-of-the-month award.

Today's opponents are on a similar bad run of form, losing their last four League Two outings.

"They are a bit of an unknown quantity for everyone,'' admitted Wilson. "They have had some mixed results.

"We treat them with respect, they have some very physical players in the team.

"But we know what we are capable of and we know we have quality in the side - that's what we are looking for.

"The adrenaline gets them through the early games, it's a new division for them and there is a newness about it all.

"But then injuries and suspensions kick in and that's when getting a run of results together proves harder.

"They lost their leading scorer, who went to Ipswich, and then it's about finding someone to score the goals. Again, it's a big miss when your main strikers are absent and the goals aren't there - it's something I know all about!''

Wilson's striking options are boosted by the availability of Darryl Duffy. The loan signing couldn't play in last week's FA Cup tie and will start this afternoon.

James Brown was on target at Rochdale seven days ago and, with Eifion Williams netting two for the reserves in midweek, Wilson is confident his well-documented problems in front of goal will soon by over.

"When players are in the reserve team they have to take something from it,'' he said. "They need to take the maximum they can and strikers need to score goals.

"Eifion got two, so that should do him some good - he could possibly have got a few more. It's always good for strikers to see their names on the scoresheet. James showed last week that he can score and we have players at the club capable of doing it.''

The manager has already warned his players he cannot wait for them to find their scoring boots forever and he remains hopeful of attracting a new forward.

With Mansfield's Ritchie Barker his No 1 target, after Pools had an £80,000 bid accepted, Wilson said: "It's an on-going thing. We have offers and bids into clubs and we are waiting to hear back and see what happens.

"It could happen anytime, but there's nothing going on right now.

"We want to get some players in before the January window to try to get a head start on other clubs before then.''

Defender John Brackstone has been booked in for a double hernia operation on Monday.

First-year professional Neil Muckles has left the club by mutual consent.