I'd forgot this, whilst having a pint behind the CK at half time of the MK Dons match one of my mates asked Willie Boland when he was fit and he said "next week". So unless something else has flared up he's been back in training for three weeks and surely comes into contention for Saturday?

It certainly would be timely.

If Boland returns to the first team and can stay fit it will make a huge difference to Pools. The loss of James Brown is terrible, especially for him, but if Sweeney could move up and Liddle/McCunnie fill in at right back, the influence of Willie in midfield should bolster up the defence no end.

Best news for a while that.

Boland was fantastic at the start of the season with a pre-season behind him. When he came back from a long lay-off last term, he was average at best. It could go either way

And has he ever been fit for more than a two month consecutive stint since he signed for us?

Boland is still injured.