CONNOR NEWTON could be in line for a recall to the Hartlepool United side this weekend.

The midfielder has been a bit-part player this season, with summer signings Liam Noble and Paddy McLaughlin being preferred in a three-man midfield.

But with Woods and McLaughlin both doubts for tomorrow’s game at Bromley, the former Newcastle United trainee could make only his second start of the season.

Pools will be without captain Andrew Davies for three games after the captain was sent-off at Wrexham on Tuesday.

Woods missed the defeat at Wrexham with an ankle injury, while McLaughlin sat out training yesterday through illness.

Newton impressed Bates in the last 20 minutes at the Racecourse Ground after replacing Nicky Featherstone.

Boss Matthew Bates said: “Woodsy has been running this morning, jogging before the lads started training, but has been still struggling a bit, but he is touch and go for Saturday with us travelling Friday.’’

Midfielder Luke Williams is still absent, and is hoping to step up his recovery from a knee operation today.

Bates said: “Luke sees the specialist on Friday, a general check-up and see where go and we hope he’s not too far away.’’

Pools will play on a plastic pitch tomorrow, and Bates admitted: “We go to Bromley and aim to play like we did second half at Wrexham. It won’t be easy on a 4G pitch, but it’s nothing new to us as we have played on them before and we need to move the ball around quick and pass it around.

“The bounce is different, but no excuses and I don’t mind it. A few don’t like it because of injuries and niggles, but we prepare right, train on a plastic pitch at Stamford on the way down. It will suit our style and it can suit us.

Pools go to Bromley today, Gillingham next week and then Dover at the end of November. It’s a month of regular travelling and Bates said: “It’s a long month on the road for us, we are well looked after and we have good hotels to stay in – no excuses. Long trips can bring people together and we are looking forward to it.’’