Oates may be fit forSaturday

Oates limped off just after the half-hour mark at the Abbey Stadium.

The 22-year-old had come into the game in inspired form for Pools, including man of the match displays against Exeter and Notts County.

He was carrying the major threat to the U’s last night until his evening was ended prematurely with a thigh problem.

The former Barnsley striker looked distraught when leaving the pitch with physio Ian Gallagher.

But Jones hopes the problem is down to fatigue and he makes a rapid recovery with a home match against Wycombe on the horizon on Saturday.

“He may have pulled his thigh, I’m not sure,” Jones told SportMail. “He’s been so tired the work he’s been putting in.

“It’s unfortunate for him, but we’ve got a couple of days before the next game and we’ll see if we can get him up and running for Saturday.”

Nicky Deverdics came on in his place, playing well in midfield, with Lewis Alessandra moving further forward.

Deverdics took a heavy blow to the head which needed bandaging up.

“Losing Rhys was a blow,” added Jones. “But Dev’s come on and slotted in well. He took a nasty bang to the head but he’s got up, got strapped, and carried on.”