Hartlepool United are the visitors to Bescot Stadium tomorrow, as the Saddlers look to build on the hard fought point won at the City Ground, Nottingham, last Saturday. Walsall’s home form has become crucial this season, as they hover in mid table and the crunch period is about to arrive. Will the improvement continue, or will it be another season of struggle?

Confusion seems to be reigning at the ground as to the state of the squad for the game. The Press are definitely agreed that Murphy, Pead, Gerrard, Roper, Bennett and Fox are fit and that Staunton isn’t, but after that it gets more confusing. Some sources are saying that Chris Westwood might be available to play some part, whereas others say no. There have been rumours on the message board, however, that the former Hartlepool man is not happy.

Midfield is even more confusing. Demontagnac is suspended following his rush of blood last week and Merson was suggesting earlier in the week that either himself or Kris Taylor would play wide left. The Express and Star said yesterday, however, that Merson had picked up an injury in training and was doubtful. The same paper had said Standing was approaching fitness and might be in the sixteen. Kinsella won’t be considered, though, by all accounts, but Mark Wright has made good progress and may make an appearance before the end of Christmas.

Up front, Leitao is suspended after five yellows (and is injured as well), so the front positions seem to be between Fryatt, Larossa and Constable, given that Merson is injured, as he might well have accompanied Fryatt otherwise.

So, what does that mean? Pure guesswork, of course, but I’d expect a 4 4 2 of:

Murphy, Pead, Roper, Gerrard, Bennett, D Taylor, Osborn, K Taylor, Fox, Fryatt, Constable.

Confused? You should be!

Hartlepool are without long-term absentees strikers Adam Boyd, Joel Porter and James Brown (all knee), while midfielder Matty Robson has returned to full training but has a lack of match practice. Former South African International Mark Tinkler and former Cardiff man Lee Bullock are also both doubts for Martin Scott.

On loan striker Dean McDonald will play his last game for Pools having been told to return to Ipswich Town at the end of his temporary deal as cover for the injured Porter.

Predictions? Hartlepool will be a good test of the lad’s current home form. They are seventh in the away form table, with no less than five wins, the same number as the top three. Only their four defeats are keeping them out of the top six. They have also only conceded 11 goals in their 10 away games. The good news is they have only scored ten, which seems to be their Achilles’ heel at the moment.

This has all the signs of being a very close game, with few goals (cue 5 – 5) and I’ll go with a 1 – 0 home win.