Blues boss Gareth Ainsworth admits to having some severe selection headaches going into tomorrow's clash against the division's bottom side.

Ainsworth was forced into ringing the changes over the festive period as injuries took their toll - but many of those who missed out are now back in contention for the visit of rock bottom Hartlepool United.

Last season's captain Stuart Lewis was handed his first start of the campaign at Shrewsbury, and a typically determined effort in midfield meant he was one of Blues' stand-out performers in place of seven-goal Peter Murphy.

Influential defender Alfie Mawson looks unlikely to feature against the Pools after his loan deal from Brentford expired on New Year's Day - with the club yet to announce whether their efforts to extend his stay at Adams Park have been successful. 

Ainsworth said after the Shrewsbury game: "I have got a huge problem now because there's some boys who've dug really deep. They'll all be wanting to play against Hartlepool.

"If we keep the consistency going, if we keep the performances churning out like we do, I'm sure we can get back to winning ways soon."

Top scorer Paul Hayes is likely to be fit tomorrow, having missed the trip to Shrewsbury after failing a fitness test on the morning of the game.

Ainsworth said Max Kretzschmar and Matt McClure also narrowly missed out on places in Sunday's squad, while he added Hogan Ephraim "isn't far away at all" from being available for selection.

Wanderers will be seeking a first double of the campaign against a Pools side who are already eight points adrift of safety and are onto their third manager of the season.

The recently departed Paris Cowan-Hall, Matt Bloomfield and Alfie Mawson all scored in a comfortable 3-1 win for Blues at Victoria Park in November.

Click here to read Ainsworth's thoughts on facing Hartlepool on Saturday.