But the Hartlepool United manager is hoping he won't need to spend a penny for someone to take Brown's slot on the right-hand side of midfield.

Wilson believes he has the player to fill the void already in his ranks - Antony Sweeney.

Sweeney's all action performance at Fleetwood Town on Saturday - helped by Jamie McCunnie's solid display behind him at right-back - earned plaudits from the Pools boss.

Brown's injury will leave Pools desperately short of fire power in the New Year with Kevin Kyle's loan spell from Coventry City set to expire in January.

It looks highly unlikely Pools will sign Kyle in January as the former Sunderland striker would be forced to take a major cut from his wage at the Ricoh Arena.

At yesterday's club AGM, chairman Ken Hodcroft said: "There is no way we can pay the wages of a Championship player".

Kyle future looks likely to be in the Championship although SportMail understands there is significant interest in the 27-year-old from America's Major League Soccer.

It could leave Pools with just Michael Mackay and Joel Porter as the only out-and-out strikers at the club in January, with on-loan Richard Barker expected to complete a permanent move to League Two side Rotherham when the transfer window re-opens.

Although Brown's absence deprives Pools of some much-needed forward cover, Wilson believes his regular spot on the right is in good hands.
Wilson said: "We will have to address it in January and plan accordingly.

"We are not going to get another James Brown so we will have to see what is available.

"But Tony Sweeney did excellent there on Saturday. He is a totally different type of player to James but what you get is his pace and directness in running at defenders.

"He has got a terrific work capacity.

"We have got a very demanding fixture schedule coming up and you saw how thin our squad was on Saturday. We are down to the bare bones."

Full story in Thursday's Mail