CRAIG HIGNETT should have some of his absentees returning to the Hartlepool United side on Saturday.

Pools take on York, on the brink of relegation to the National League, at Victoria Park after three successive away games.

For Tuesday’s defeat at Notts County, Hignett was without Jake Carroll (head), Matthew Bates (thigh), Nathan Thomas (chest infection) and Billy Paynter (hamstring).

Three of the four could be in contention at the weekend.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference this morning, Hignett said: "Jake will train tomorrow, Tuesday was a precaution after his head injury last Saturday.

"Batesy will not be far away and we'll see how Rob (Jones) is, he's played twice in four days and at 58, that's a fair shift.

"We'll asses it all and we'll see where we are tomorrow and I'll select a squad and team from there that will win us the game.’’

Paynter has missed the last two games after suffering a hamstring strain last Tuesday at Carlisle.

Hignett admitted: “Billy is in for treatment and we see where we are, his hamstring isn’t as bad a thought and we should see him before the end of the season.

“Hamstrings are a funny thing, we have to be careful with him, but at the moment we are pleased with what we see so far.’’