CAPTAIN Billy Paynter is on the bench for Hartlepool United’s game at Stevenage.

Pools boss Craig Hignett has made five changes to his side from Tuesday’s Checkatrade Trophy loss at Notts County.

In come Carl Magnay (as captain), to partner Scott Harrison in centre defence, while there’s starts for Michael Woods, Nathan Thomas Padraig Among and Nicky Deverdics. Matthew Bates (ankle) and Rob Jones (back) are both sidelined, while Liam Donnelly captained Northern Ireland Under-21s last night.

STEVENAGE (4-4-2): Jones; Henry, Wells, Franks, Ntlhe; Pett, Tonge, King, Fox; Walker, Godden. Subs: Day (gk), Liburd, Hyde, Hunte, Lee, Cowans, Kerr.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED (4-3-3): Bartlett; Richards, Magnay, Harrison, Carroll; Deverdics, Featherstone, Woods; Thomas, Amond, Alessandra. Subs: Paynter, Hawkins, Laurent, Martin, Dudzinski, Fewster, Heardman. Referee: John Busby (Oxford)