HARTLEPOOL UNITED have made seven changes to their side for the dead rubber Checkatrade Trophy game with Rochdale: Pools can’t progress to the second round, Dale already have.

With competition rules only allowing six alterations to what is regarded as a first-choice XI, Pools have permission to make one more with goalkeeper Trevor Carson away on international duty with Northern Ireland.

Into the side come Adam Bartlett, Scott Harrison, James Martin, Liam Donnelly, Brad Walker, Jake Orrell and Billy Paynter.

Rochdale include five-year-old Joshua McCormack on the bench.

The youngster, from Rochdale, was diagnosed with a brain tumour last year and was told it was terminal in September.

Joshua isn’t able to attend the game at Northern Gas and Power Stadium but will have a shirt hung up in the changing room and will be named as one of Dale's seven substitutes, with the squad number 55.

"He has touched the hearts of everyone at Rochdale since we met him for the first time back in February," manager Keith Hill told the club website.

"No child should have to go through what Joshua is going through and we, as a club and a group of players, will continue to do whatever we can to support him and his family.

"We hope this one small gesture can bring some light to his family during this difficult time."

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Bartlett; Richards, Bates, Harrison, Martin, Donnelly, Woods, Walker, Orrell, Paynter, Deverdics. Subs: Dudzinski (gk), Oates, Pollock, Hawkins, Laurent, Wise, Richardson.

ROCHDALE: Lillis; Rafferty, Tanser, McNulty, McGahey, McDermott, Rathbone, Thompson, Lazarus, Cannon, Morley. Subs: Mendez-Laing, Barry Murphy, Msuangu, Gillam, Bunney, Hollins, McCormack.

Referee: Scott Duncan (Newcastle)