DANNY Wilson's options are somewhat restricted tonight, by both injuries and competition rules.

Hartlepool United to go Chesterfield in the opening round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, without central midfielders Willie Boland and Antony Sweeney.

Both have suffered hamstring injuries and are unlikely to be fit for Saturday's League One game at Leeds United.

And Wilson would like to make more changes by choice tonight, but clubs must field players who have appeared most often in first team games this season.

That means Wilson's desire to give chances to the likes of Michael Mackay, Arran Lee-Barrett, David Foley and other members of his first team squad is restricted.

Last season Pools were fined by the Football League for fielding a weakened team in the victory over Rotherham. The £1,500 slap was suspended for a year and will be enforced if Wilson is deemed to have broken the rules at Saltergate this evening.

The fine arrived last year an hour after Pools had been presented with the performance of the round award for their 3-1 win and Wilson was furious at the decision.

He said: "It's an embarrassment.

We get rewarded for the result, we felt we met the competition criteria and then we get fined. It's pathetic.

"The people from Johnstone's Paints can't tell me what team to pick. End of story.'' Wilson was at pains last night to point out that tonight's game takes precedence over Saturday's Elland Road trip, insisting all he and his players are focused on is the game at Saltergate.

"We will change the team as best we can,'' he said. "But we have to abide by the rules of the competition, so we are limited.

"Leeds is a big game to look forward to, but we have Tuesday to look forward to first to keep the run going and keep the confidence going.'' Andy Monkhouse will be involved tonight. He made his first start of the season on Saturday after suspension from last season and Wilson was pleased with the impact his left winger made.

"Andy has the quality and we have seen what he can do,'' he said. "We've missed him and he's been chomping at the bit to play.

"Missing five games might make him a hungrier player and when you can't play for a long period of time like that it might make a difference and he will have learned his lesson.

"He will be hungry to play and be successful. He has missed games and knows the competition is there for his place.'' Admission tonight is £1 for juveniles under age 14, adult tickets cost £10 and it is £5 for senior citizens and youngsters under age 18.