HARTLEPOOL UNITED will welcome four players who have previously tested positive for Covid back into training tomorrow as they step up their preparations for their Boxing Day game at Mansfield Town.

Pools were forced to call off last weekend’s scheduled game with Colchester because of a number of positive Covid test results within their first-team squad.

The identity of those affected has not been revealed, but Graeme Lee expects to be welcoming four previously-affected players back into the fold ahead of the trip to Field Mill.

With no new Covid issues in the last couple of days, the Pools boss anticipates Sunday’s game going ahead as planned, and is hoping the players who have been isolating show no ill-effects from their exposure to the virus.

“It’s been a tricky week, but all the protocols have come back in place now and we’re testing every day,” said Lee. “So far, we’ve been all clear this week, apart from the lads who had the Covid positive tests over the weekend.

“We’re hoping to get them back on the grass (tomorrow) all being well. It will help with the squad going into Sunday.

“We keep getting updates from the EFL with protocols, but so far so good as long as lads get no more positive cases.

"Hopefully, the lads who have had the positive cases start bedding back into training.

“It’s been over the seven-day period now, so if that’s the case and they haven’t had too many bad symptoms and they respond okay to the three-day build up, then hopefully they’ll be able to be involved with us for Boxing Day.

"But, more importantly than anything, their health is the main thing over anything else.”

Lee admits it has been a difficult week, with testing and Covid monitoring taking precedence over preparation for what is set to be a busy few days.

After heading to Mansfield on Boxing Day, Pools are due to host Tranmere on December 29 before entertaining Oldham Athletic on New Year’s Day.

“Hopefully, we get the fixtures to go ahead, but it’s difficult for everyone, not just us,” added Lee.

“Everyone is treading on eggshells a bit at the moment, waiting for an announcement or waiting to see what’s going on, so it’s difficult.

“All we can do is plan as normal, keep preparing right, and keep training the lads hard on the training field so that if things all go ahead, we’re well prepared.”