Pools Youth Team will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games when they host Bradford City at Chester-le-Street on Saturday (11am kick-off).

Micky Barron's men have been thrown in to an injury crisis with no fewer than seven of the seventeen-man squad currently on the treatment table.

An already challenging situation was made worse in the past seven days with Michael Pearson and Paul Johnson added to the injury list.

"It's a difficult situation for us and there doesn't seem to be too much light at the end of the tunnel because most of the injured lads are out for about six weeks," Barron explained.

"Paul got injured in the Reserves last week and faces a spell out which is tough on him and the team because he's our captain and has started the season ever so well."

Others currently sidelined are Callum Martin, Callum Hassan, Andy Charlton, Jordan Mellish and Jordan Richards leaving Barron dipping in to the Under 16s for more bodies.

"It's good for the younger lads as they get a chance to come in to the team and show what they can do," he commented.

"Last week we should really have beaten Lincoln but they came back at us strongly in the second half and it ended in a draw.

"It was good character from the lads that they still stuck to their task and weren't beaten and we'll need to show more that grit and determination this weekend."

Centre of Excellence

The Under 10s, 12, 14s and 16s are at home and will host Scunthorpe United at Manor College on Sunday morning with all kick-offs at 11.30am.

Meanwhile, the Under 9s, 11s, 13s and 15s will make the trip to face Scunthorpe where they will also kick-off at 11.30am with all games taking place at St Lawrence Academy on Doncaster Road.