Danny Wilson admits that the result in Saturday's game at Bristol Rovers could really go either way.

With Rovers having also enjoyed mixed fortunes this season and Paul Trollope's side also suffering with injuries, either team could net the three points,

And Wilson insists that Rovers impressive FA Cup run which saw them reach the Quarter Finals may well have affected their League campaign,

"They have been very inconsistent like ourselves this season," Wilson told the Official Website.

"But I have to say that maybe their focus has been taken away by their great Cup run.

"I don't think it has helped them because the fixtures start to mount up and become very concentrated.

"If you carry a small squad and pick up injuries and suspensions like they have, then it will hit you hard.

"Great Cup runs are brilliant for fans but they can take the focus away from the league which is the bread and butter for a football club and I am sure the management there will be looking at this."

The Pools' boss reveals that having a number of injuries in your squad can affect your plans for a season - as has happened at Bristol Rovers this term,

"It is not easy when you don't carry a big squad," he explained.

"You have to do things off the cuff in a way when things get thrown at you but that's their problem and we have our own fair share at the moment.

"We can't worry about anyone else but we can sympathise with them."

Rovers defender Steve Elliott has been quoted as saying they hope the long journey down to the Memorial Stadium will impact on Pools' game.

But Wilson is adamant this will have no bearing at all on his side's performance,

"I have to say the preparation, if we do it properly, won't come into the equation.

"It is about how we play the game and how we approach it - the preparation will be excellent, we know that.

"And if we don't get the result, it won't be because of the preparation or the journey, just as it won't be if we win the game."

Wilson will be hampered by the loss of three key players with Richard Barker, Sam Collins and Gary Liddle all missing the trip,

"James Brown will be in the squad but we're not sure if he'll play or not but the other three won't be travelling," he added.