Rovers host mid table outfit Hartlepool United in a third League Two game in a week at The Fully Charged New Lawn.

Rob Edwards’ men come into this one off the back of three consecutive 1-0 wins after a massive victory over Mansfield Town on Tuesday night.

Here’s the lowdown on the travelling Pools ahead of Saturday’s tie.

MEET THE MANAGER: GRAEME LEE

Former Hartlepool defender Graeme Lee was named the new manager of the Pools back in December 2021, following the departure of Dave Challinor.

The Teesside born Lee began his playing career at Victoria Park and went on to make over 250 appearances for the club over an eight year period.

Lee returned to Hartlepool for a short loan spell after time with Yorkshire clubs Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster Rovers.

After stints with Bradford City, Darlington and Notts County, the 42-year-old announced his retirement from the game.

Lee gained coaching experience with Middlesbrough U23’s before he was called upon to take on the manager role at Hartlepool.

KEY PLAYER: NICKY FEATHERSTONE

Hartlepool skipper Nicky Featherstone joined the Pools back in 2014 and has gone on to make over 250 appearances for the club.

The 33-year-old started his career at Hull, not far from his home town in Humberside, where he rose through the youth system to play for the first-team.

Nearby loans to North Ferriby United and Grimsby followed before a loan move to Hereford United was made permanent in 2011.

Short stints with Walsall, Scunthorpe and Harrogate came next for Featherstone and in 2014 he made the move to County Durham, where he instantly made his way into the team.

The centre midfielder has contributed four goals and three assists in his 38 league starts this season.

FORM – LDLWL

15/03/22 – Hartlepool United 0-2 Bradford City

18/03/22 – Newport County 2-3 Hartlepool United

26/03/22 – Northampton Town 2-0 Hartlepool United

29/03/22 – Hartlepool United 2-2 Mansfield Town

02/04/22 – Hartlepool United 0-2 Salford City

PLAYED FOR BOTH SIDES

Liam Noble

During his one year with the club, Liam Noble aided Rovers in making it to the Football League for the first time, captaining the side in the Play-Off final victory over Tranmere Rovers.

Noble played for Hartlepool over 50 times a few seasons later, scoring 13 league goals in the 2018/19 campaign, finishing the clubs top scorer.

The 30-year-old midfielder now plies his trade with Morpeth Town in the seventh tier of English Football.

LAST TIME WE MET

An impressive first half saw Rovers score all their goals on the day as they were 3-1 victors over Hartlepool at Victoria Park.

It took Jordan Moore-Taylor just four minutes to put Rovers ahead glancing a header well past Ben Killip from a Ben Stevenson corner.

On the half hour mark and it was two, as Matty Stevens thundered an effort off the bar which came back to Jamille Matt to tuck home with ease.

And Stevens did manage to find the net in first half added time finishing emphatically on the turn to put real daylight between the sides.

Nicky Featherstone got a consolation goal from the spot 10 minutes from time for the Pools but a Jamie Sterry red card moments later compiled further misery.

The win saw Rovers further cement their lead at the top of the table and take the three points in the first meeting between the sides.

LAST TIME OUT

Hartlepool fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Salford City extending their run without a win to three matches.

The away controlled the opening proceedings and came close on 12 minutes when Brandon Thomas-Asante’s snapshot went just wide of the far post.

Under 10 minutes later and the Ammies were in front, a brilliant first of the season for Corrie Ndaba who fired home into the right bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Before the half hour mark and Salford skipper Jason Lowe went one better, picking up the ball before unleashing a rocket from long range to double the lead.

The hosts failed to test Tom King throughout the 90 and couldn’t get back into the game meaning they now sit 10 points behind their Gary Bowyer’s side.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This weekend’s meeting will be only the second time Rovers and Hartlepool have met in their respective histories.

The sides swapped places back in 2017 as the Pools fell out of the Football League ending their 96-year stay whilst Rovers reached it for the first time in their history.

The one and only tie between the two came earlier this season ending 3-1 to Rovers at Victoria Park.