Andy Monkhouse

By Clarence Rode
February 8 2008

Andy Monkhouse could make his long-awaited return to the Hartlepool United team at Southend on Saturday. After recovering from his troublesome knee injury, he is vying with David Foley to take over from injured James Brown on the right of midfield as manager Danny Wilson calls on his team to build on last weekend’s demolition of Luton. With Sam Collins adding some steel to the defence after signing from Hull City and experienced Willie Boland and Alan Thompson doing well alongside Gary Liddle, Pools certainly looked a lot stronger against Luton, and were full value for their 4-0 win.
Monky went on as a late sub in that game and did well, but Foley (right) had replaced Brown earlier and scared the daylights out of the Luton defence with his pace and direct style, creating one of the three second half goals with a good run and low cross.Ben Clark is still out with his thigh strain, so Collins looks certain to line-up alongside Michael Nelson at the heart of the Pools defence, with Richie Humphreys on the left and Antony Sweeney given another chance to turn himself into an attacking right-back.Pools just sneaked home 4-3 against Southend at the Vic last month, and will be hoping to chalk up a rare double.They still need the points to stay clear of the relegation zone, and anything at Roots Hall will strongly suggest they might just have recovered from their mid-season inconsistency.