Bradley Fewster and Tom Heardman yesterday signed half-season loans with Hartlepool United.

Both centre-forwards, Fewster has moved from Middlesbrough, with Heardman arriving from Newcastle United.

Fewster spent time on loan at York City last season, netting eight times in 24 games.

Heardman trained with Pools last week and Pools boss Craig Hignett said: Both Tom and Brad who have joined on loan are really hungry to prove themselves and that’s one of the big qualities I look for in players.”

Pools go to Notts County in the Checkatrade Trophy this evening, and the pair could both be involved. Hignett will make changes to his side, but the extent of his alterations remain to be seen.

Both Portsmouth and Luton last night made 11 changes, while Exeter boss Paul Tisdale and Wycombe chief Gareth Ainsworth were both substitutes for their teams.

Hignett is likely to be more reserved, wary of being slapped with a £5,000 fine by the Football League.

Rob Jones (back) is out, while Liam Donnelly is on Northern Ireland Under-21 duty.

Scott Harrison will start in central defence alongside Toto Nsiala, who is not suspended for this game despite being sent-off on Saturday. New rules mean suspensions only incurred in this evening’s competition apply.

Lewis Hawkins, Nicky Deverdics and Josh Laurent could form a three-man midfield, with Billy Paynter rested amid a front three of Nathan Thomas, Padraig Amond and Lewis Alessandra.

One enforced change, however, is in goal where Adam Bartlett starts. Trevor Carson is away on international duty with Northern Ireland.

Ahead of Sunday’s World Cup qualifier in the Czech Republic, the goalkeeper backed Bartlett for both tonight and Saturday’s League Two game at Stevenage.

“I’ll miss two games and the gaffer had already told Barts he would be playing the cup games anyway,’’ admitted Carson.

“It’s disappointing to miss two games, Stevenage especially, but we are in safe hands. The worry for me is if Barts does really well, but that’s football and I want him to do well and we win – preferably 15-14!

“He did well at Preston, he’s a good keeper who won’t let us down for sure.

“We have good competition between us.’’