Shane Ivey returns to the starting fifteen following a try scoring appearance from the bench at Winlaton last time out. He replaces Liam Pape who plays for Hartlepool A.

Second row Jack Richardson is back in the fold and will take up a spot among the replacements.

Their is a switch of positions in the back line with Zac Ivey moving to full back and Alex Winter moving to the wing. David Chester is set to make his first start of 2019 in the outside centre position, with Antony Lawrence providing cover from the bench.

The Last Time

Hartlepool ran out convincing 24-32 winners at Main Road when the two sides met back in October, with Sam Kitching, Liam Pape, Andrew Foreman, Phil Stevenson and Antony Lawrence all scoring for the visitors.

League Form

Hartlepool Last 5:
W W W W L

Houghton Last 5:
W L L L W

Official

Durham County referee Kevin Allison is the man in the middle.

Team

Wilson, Small (c), Williamson, S Ivey, Smalley, Stevenson, Carney, Johnson, Foreman, Ainley, Ryan, K Thomas, Chester, Winter, Z Ivey.

Reps: Osborne, Richardson, Lawrence.

Hartlepool A

In a rare double header Hartlepool A entertain Medicals at Mayfield Park in the CANDY Cup.