Pool V Carlisle

It`s going to be a cracker against Carlisle on Boxing Day, with Pool looking to go into the play-offs in front of a sell out crowd at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool Team News:

Simon Grayson has a few selection decisions to make, Wes Hoolahan is back after serving a one match suspension, he looks like he`ll regain his place on the wing meaning Claus Jorgensen dropping to the bench.

The other decision rests on the fitness of Keith Southern who missed out on the Bournemouth with due to an ankle knock, his place on Saturday went to Marcus Bean who will probably keep his place if Southern fails a fitness test.

Player to watch: Keigan Parker

I`d like to select different players to watch but at the moment there`s only one player to keep your eye on at Bloomfield Road. Five goals in the last seven games and numerous assists Parker is really playing to the best of his abilities.

Carlisle Team News:

United come into the Boxing Day clash with a win under their belts, they beat the leagues whipping boys Brentford 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Derek Holmes and Neale McDermott.

The game before that they were the whipping boys, losing out 5-0 at Swansea.

For Carlisle they have two players missing, Simon Hackney and former Pool loanee Danny Livesey. Winger Kevin Harper is a doubt with a calf injury.

Player to watch: Karl Hawley

The front man has hit 8 goals so far this season, one coming in the 2-0 league win over Pool earlier in the season. It`s been four games since Hawley hit the back of the net in the league but the Wallsall born striker has a terrific scoring rate, hitting 43 in 101 league starts for Carlisle.

Match Facts & Stats

Earlier in the season the two sides met in the league, former Pool loanee Chris Lumsdon and man to watch Hawley hit two goals which was enough to see of Pool.

The last time the two sides met in Blackpool was in the year 2000, when goals form Hills, Murphy and Clarkson gave Pool a three nil lead, Carlisle went down to ten men on 52 minutes when Carl Heggs received his marching orders. But then goals form Scott Dobie and then that amazing goal from keeper Peter Keen meant for a nervous last 10 minutes.