WITH two of his strikers yesterday undergoing surgery and another to miss tomorrow's trip to Scunthorpe, Hartlepool United boss Mick Wadsworth will give the players at the club every chance to make their mark.

Colin Nish and Colin Larkin needed operations to repair knee damage and James Brown broke down in training last week with a groin problem which could keep him out a couple of weeks.

James Poole and Andy Monkhouse will remain up front at Glanford Park tomorrow, a ground where Pools have not won in the Football League since April 1990.

"I won't be considering the loan market at the moment,'' he said. "We've got Poolie who can play up top and Monkhouse has done a good turn up there as well.

"He's taken to that position very well. He's talented, is good in the air and when he's played up there we've had good results.

"I remember at Exeter last year, when he got a couple of goals, and at Chesterfield this year when Poolie got two.

"They've done well together and it's another opportunity for them.

"We've got Boydy as well and of course Ritchie Humphreys can go up there if necessary.''

He added: "It's a similar situation now as it was earlier in the season and it's always an opportunity for others.

"One or two will be aggrieved that they haven't been in and around the squad but they now are and it's a chance for them to do something.

"They should be saying to me ‘I should have been in all the time'.

"I'm quite philosophical about injuries because that's football and it is how it is.

"I never feel sorry for myself but I feel sorry for the players who are injured.

"It's part of the fun of the game with others coming in and proving themselves.

"There are young players further down the line and their chance may come.

"There's young Callum Hassan but the one who is catching the eye at the moment is young Luke James.

"So let's find out about our young players first before we find out about other club's young players."