Hartlepool United's squad strong enough to cope with injuries - Craig Harrison

Hartlepool United's squad is not quite at breaking point, even though injuries are beginning to bite.
Hartlepool manager Craig Harrison.Hartlepool manager Craig Harrison.
Hartlepool manager Craig Harrison.

Craig Harrison admits things are probably the most difficult they have been this season, but says that is not cause enough to want more players.

Harrison, who takes his side to Torquay United in the National League today, is minus four attackers, Jake Cassidy (foot), Ryan Donaldson (ankle), plus James Thorne and Tomi Adeloye who have unspecified injuries.

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Cassidy should return next month, but Donaldson will be out until the New Year, as will central defender Keith Watson (knee).

Midfielder Conor Newton has been sidelined throughout October with foot trouble, but he should be fit for a return next month.

To add to Harrison’s headache, skipper Carl Magnay (hernia) could be facing the prospect of surgery, while Devante Rodney was ruled out today with a one-match ban.

But the boss says his squad is good enough and deep enough to cope.

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“If everyone’s fit, we’d have five lads sitting in the stand and not involved at all on a match day,” he told SportMail.

“You can’t really have too many in the squad.

“There are injuries and niggles, but it is what it is, we could do without it.

“It’s circumstances and we’ve got to get on with it, we’ve got more than enough available to go and win the game [at Torquay].

“We’ve had strong senior players on the bench like Blair [Adams], Jack [Munns] and Luke [George], it’s not like I’m turning round to the bench and there are five 16-year-olds.

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“Even the young lads, like Kenton [Richardson], has the experience to be put in at anytime.

“It is what it is, and I’m not going to lose sleep over it, it’s the old adage about controlling the control-ables.”

“For the FA Cup [at Morecambe next Saturday], Conor will be fit, Devante is back from suspension, Tomi and James might be fit.”