Craig Harrison provides fitness update on Hartlepool United duo Keith Watson and Michael Ledger

The loan duo, who returned to the starting XI for the New Year’s Day 2-2 draw with Gateshead, have been plagued with injury this season.

Watson, whose deal from St Johnstone is up this month, only returned to the Pools starting XI last week, as a late sub on Boxing Day, while Ledger was injured for much of festive period.

The pair both started their first games back against Gateshead at the Vic on Monday.

And for that reason it is a big ask to squeeze two games in just six days out of them.

But due to the injury crisis sweeping through the Pools squad at the moment, Harrison has no choice but to patch them up and send them back out there at Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday.

“The defenders will be sore,” said Harrison.

“Keith said he was struggling in the last 10 minutes against Gateshead, and Ledge rolled an ankle in the game.

“The thing is we will have to patch them up, look after them in training every day and make sure they’re fit to get out there on Saturday.

“We have to do that because we have no other option

“Louis Laing was bench but it was a token gesture as he has a hamstring injury. If those two are out he’ll have to play.”