Hartlepool United boss Craig Hignett has mixed fitness news

Defenders Matthew Bates and Carl Magnay are both back in training at Maiden Castle but midfielder Nicky Featherstone is “touch and go” for the League Two opener against Colchester United.

Bates (ill) and Featherstone (groin) both missed Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Scunthorpe United while Magnay was forced off late on in the friendly after twisting his knee.

“Batesy had been knocked sideways by a bug but he’s all right now,” said Hignett.

“Mags has trained as well, but Nicky has not trained this week and we’ll have to see at the back end of the week how he is.

“It could be touch and go.”

The absence of the 27-year-old would be a big set-back for Pools, though midfield is not an area where Hignett is short of cover.

Young striker Jake Orrell is also struggling with a groin problem but, otherwise, the Pools boss has a clean bill of health.