James Brown and Adam Boyd will both be on the sidelines for Hartlepool United tomorrow.

Pools meet Walsall at Victoria Park in need of a first home win of the season, but will have to do it without two – and maybe three – of their strikers.

Denis Behan is also struggling with a back strain and has missed training this week. Boyd was injured in Wednesday’s reserve draw at Hull, while Brown has not played this month because of an ankle injury.

“Adam took a real clattering, he drove into the box onto a classic pass, on an angle and got clattered,’’ said caretaker boss Mick Wadsworth. “Simple as that.

Instant swelling on the ankle, ended up on crutches.

“It’s bad news and will keep him out on Saturday.

Good news, he limped in this morning, without crutches and I asked him if he’s been to Lourdes!

“He’s had an X-ray, there’s no damage, so he shouldn’t be out too long.

“Joe (Gamble) played a bit on Wednesday, has trained well and should be back on Saturday. James Brown is training with us, Saturday may be too soon as he has missed a lot of work.

“It’s only the last couple of days he has felt comfortable enough to step it up, it’s a shame but he can do everything to step up. Tuesday is realistic for him.’’ With goalkeeper Scott Flinders out for the forseeable future, Wadsworth has Jake Kean on loan from Blackburn and has had a close look at Burnley defender Chris Lynch this week.

“We are looking to add to the squad and we have permission to do so if necessary,’’ he said. “The hardest thing is getting in the right ones.

We have plenty of players here and if they perform like they did last week, and everyone did their bit, then we may not need to add.

“We have the numbers, but not perhaps the balance in the squad.

“If we lose players to injury or suspension it makes it more critical. We are seeing games, talking to people and things lined up if needed. We have looked at a couple of lads this week, there’s no need to be hasty, but we know what is available if necessary.’’ And Wadsworth added: “We had a player in this week for a couple of days from a non-league club.

“I don’t want to name him as yet, but he did very well and we need to have a look at him. He was impressive, did well and we want to see him in a reserve game.

“It’s on-going, we are always looking for when we need to and if we can come to the right financial arrangements we can do it.’’