HARTLEPOOL United's latest recruit Will Goodwin could be thrown straight into action at the weekend against Barrow. 

The 19-year-old signed for the club on loan until January from Championship side Stoke City as Dave Challinor bolsters his attacking options before the end of the transfer window. 

Pools face a selection dilemma in the forward areas. Mark Cullen is still battling back to full fitness after a recent hamstring injury while Olufela Olomola is being assessed by the club's medical staff today in training to see he's fit enough for the game at Holker Street.

"He’s (Goodwin) ready to start. Through the pre-season with Stoke, he’s not played a full 90-minutes but he’s played 70-minutes and been involved in all their first team fixtures. He’s ready if we need him. Whether he lasts 90-minutes is debatable but fitness wise there are no issues. 

"Fela has a little niggle, it will be days and we’ll make a decision whether we risk him or not. If not he’ll be fine for next weekend. We’ll have decisions like this throughout the course of the season but aside from him everyone is fine."

Challinor has recieved a welcome boost in that midfielder Tom Crawford could be back in contention for this weeked's game. He's missed the first two games of the season for Pools. 

"Tom is fine, he was off with sickness, he was one of the lads who had Covid. He had to wait for his jab, had his jab and then was ill after that. He missed a few days but has trained this week so there are no problems with him."