Hartlepool United go into tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at Watford with their manager and captain in line for awards.

Mick Wadsworth and Sam Collins have been shortlisted for the League One manager and player of the month honours for December.

Collins misses the trip to Vicarage Road with a medial knee ligament injury, but is expected to recover for next weekend’s home game with Dagenham.

He was part of the side in December that won 1-0 at both Huddersfield and Bournemouth and saw off Yeovil in the FA Cup.

Tomorrow’s opponents also have two on the Championship shortlist – boss Malky Mackay and striker Danny Graham.

The 16-goal former Middlesbrough and Carlisle forward is expected to be absent with a hamstring strain.

Wadsworth is looking forward to the challenge tomorrow and admitted: “The players are excited because it’s a great opportunity to gain some recognition.

“There’s no great pressure but we’re going to perform well and hope to come out with our integrity intact.

“It would be fantastic if we could get them back to Hartlepool for a second game.

“They have been on a terrific run themselves.

“We’ve had them watched a couple of times and they are really bang in form.

“It’ll be a great test and there’s always a chance for a team to perform heroic things in every round.’’ He added: “It’s totally untrue this idea that the FA Cup has lost its magic.

“Anyone with a heart and a soul and a feel for English football knows that the FA Cup is still somewhat magical.

It still throws up wonderful stories of giant-killing acts and individual characters often make their name in the FA Cup.’’ Collins has been working in the gym this week and Wadsworth said: “The good news on Sam is that he’s looking better than we thought.

“He’s confident he’ll be available a week on Saturday.

“I don’t want to bring a centre- back in on loan who won’t play. Sam has been excellent the past couple of months and we want, and need, him back in the team.’’ Ex-Pools boss Chris Turner is among the contenders for the vacant Walsall job.