MICK Wadsworth isn't concerned about the problems encountered by tonight's opposition, the Hartlepool United coach has enough to think about himself.

Phil Brown's Preston arrive at Victoria Park without a win in 13, but Pools lost their sixth successive home game at the weekend.

"Preston? I've got my own flippin problems to worry about,'' said Wadsworth. "We've two teams coming together that should be doing better. We are having a horrible run of home results and not functioning how we should be at home.

"We have to really concentrate and if we win Tuesday, the whole situation changes. We need a spirited, cup tie performance - not clever or pretty, but we will work for a result and work for it.''

Wadsworth accepts Pools need to get the basics right tonight - the sort of characteristics they consistently show in away games to get three much-needed points at home.

Pools have recorded only a single League One away loss this season and he said: "The football comes on the back of effort and work. If we don't do the fundamentals right the football is in jeopardy. If we work hard and do it right it comes, we have a chance of winning. We have to get back to that, there's no magic wand. Blood, sweat and tears and all that Churchillian nonsense that we spouted before. What else can you say? You can't saw owt else can you?''

Wadsworth is likely to make changes tonight. Wary of both Paul Murray and Nobby Solano playing two games in four days, both could be on the bench.

And Adam Boyd is set for a recall to the starting XI. He replaced James Poole and that change could be made from the off this evening.

"Adam has worked hard the last two weeks and he will agree he fell off a little bit and had problems with his knee, but he's looked stronger,'' said Wadsworth.

"There's every chance he will start on Tuesday, we need the fittest players on the pitch also. I have to think of Nobby and Muzza at their age. We have to look at all and there's not too many options.

"James came off at half-time, we needed to keep the ball better. James is almost a reflection of the whole situation here. I'm not being unfair to him, he will be a very good player for this club and the fans can see that.

"His away performances, compared to home are stark different. It's a micro picture of the team, that's not be blaming James Poole, far from it. But he is a good reflection of things. Terrific away from home, we all agree a real handful to the opposition.''

Pools have only scored seven times at home this season and three of those came in one game, when Bury were beaten 3-0 in mid-September.

Since then, there's only been one penalty to cheer for the home crowd.

"Set-plays should be a rich source of goals at home and it isn't this year,'' added Wadsworth. "We didn't get the ball in the right areas at the weekend, we practice until the cows come home and it's fantastic, but not in the game.

"We have to rebuild confidence and strength of character to do the simple things well.

"Having words there afterwards, the most sensible reaction from any player was that it's not about pretty football or great goals, it's about belief and character. The fundamentals like pressing from the front.

"It's about staying in games and in the first ten of the season we did it brilliantly. Away from home all the time, bar Notts County.

It's not a situation that calls for artistic merit, but one for spirit, character, strength and belief. If you think I'm disappointed look at the players and see how they are.''