Skipper could return to boost Hartlepool United ranks

The 28-year-old has been absent from the Pools picture since the December 9th 4-0 humbling at Dover Athletic through injury.

But, having been reintegrated into full training, Magnay is in with a shout of a spot in the side that travel south to take on Dagenham & Redbridge in 48 hours.

“We hope Mags is back soon,” said boss Craig Harrison. “We have a few injuries so his return would be timely.”

Pools are in the midst of an injury crisis, which has plagued them throughout the festive period.

At times over Christmas just NINE players were available to take part in sessions at the club’s Riverside training base in Durham.

Magnay’s return would be a massive boost, especially with Sunderland man Michael Ledger nursing a knock, Keith Watson only just back from four months out and Louis Laing struggling.

On the situation, Harrison said: “Laingy had to go on the bench against Gateshead because of what we have. He’s carrying a hamstring injury.

“As things stand, the injuries are piling up - Scotty Harrison has a whack on the foot. Against Gateshead we just scraped Watson and Ledger together. We keep going and getting on with it and it will fall into place sooner than later.”

One injury concern ahead of the Daggers clash is the fitness of Rhys Oates. The forward limped out of the 2-2 New Year’s Day draw with Gateshead, but Harrison is hopeful he’ll be fine.

“It was just a contact injury,” said the Pools boss.

“Rhys has a dead leg. We hope he will be fine.”

Harrison continued: “We have some players hopefully coming back for the game and that will be a big bonus for us.

“We just have to make sure we patch everyone up, do the best we can in training and get on with it.

“Things are not easy at the moment with injuries, but we will get by.”