Pool boss backs Cullen to impress against former side

The 24-year-old was given a frosty reception from the visiting fans when the Hatters beat Pool 2-0 at Bloomfield Road back in December.

Cullen, who netted 21 goals in 71 appearances for the Bedfordshire-based club, has enjoyed a rich vein of form in recent weeks – netting four times in his last six games.

He failed to hit the back of the net against Hartlepool last Saturday but his second-half replacement, Kyle Vassell, came off the bench to hit the match-winning goal.

But Bowyer has backed Cullen to impress against his former side at Kenilworth Road this weekend, having also praised his recent performances.

“You always want to go back against your old team and do well,” Bowyer said.

“Mark has led the line on his own superbly in the last couple of weeks and even on Saturday I felt sorry for him because of the service we gave him.

“But he still made those runs and he got in behind on the end of a great ball from Clark Robertson in the second half and he only just puts it past the post.

“But he’s looking sharp and he’ll be wanting to do well in front of his old club.”

Cullen has endured a tough campaign which has seen him kept out of the side for much of the season by the form of Vassell, who has 13 goals to his name in all competitions.

It is now seven goals for Cullen in total this season, with most of them coming in recent weeks where he has taken advantage of Vassell’s foot injury.