HARTLEPOOL United will hear this morning if Antony Sweeney is available to play tonight at Notts County.

Pools go to Meadow Lane, but have been unable to include the midfielder in their plans, after he was sent off in Saturday's FA Cup exit at Macclesfield.

The club yesterday morning lodged an appeal with the Football Association to clear his name, supplying video evidence which showed the ball striking Sweeney in the face and not on his hands, as referee Clive Penton ruled.

The FA promised a swift response to the appeal, but had yet to review the tape last night.

"We have received a claim for wrongful dismissal from Hartlepool which we will aim to deal with as quickly and as efficiently as possible,'' said a spokesman.

Defender Micky Nelson is confident his teammate will escape suspension.

"I didn't really see it hit Sweens at the time, everyone was around him,'' he said.

"But Ritchie Humphreys said it hit him in the face and we had a look at the video after the game and it's clear it does hit him in the face.''

Sweeney was yesterday credited with the goal which put Pools in front on Saturday. It was given as an own goal by Carl Regan, but video evidence showed the Pools midfielder got the touch which carried the ball into the net.

Boss Danny Wilson has more options available tonight, with Gary Liddle free from the suspension which ruled him out at the weekend and both Andy Monkhouse and Darryl Duffy can start after they weren't allowed to become cup-tied.

Pools have won their last two league games, at Accrington Stanley and at home to Wycombe and lie five points behind Notts, who occupy the last play-off spot.

"We have to put Saturday to bed,'' said Wilson. "We all wanted to progress, don't get me wrong, but if we come away with a win on Tuesday, it's more important.

"It gives us a great chance to close the gap on the top few and we have some players coming back, which is a big lift for us all.''

Pools reserve side drew 0-0 with Sheffield United B yesterday. Ian Butterworth's team included Mark Tinkler, Matty Robson, David Foley and Gavin Strachan and they all played 90 minutes, ruling them out of tonight's squad.

Tinkler and Robson both appeared as second half substitutes at the weekend.