Lacey and Ferguson join a line of players currently out of action for Keith Curle’s side with defence a particular issue for the interim manager. Jamie Sterry, Rollin Menayese and Mouhamed Niang are all missing, while Brody Paterson was not involved for the FA Cup first round tie at Solihull Moors.
Curle had to include three of the club’s academy stars on the bench for the FA Cup tie but could soon be forced into scouring the free agent market once again should his defensive issues continue.
Curle has suggested he has yet to find any value for money in those players currently out of contract, but with just Euan Murray and Reghan Tumilty left as established defenders, Curle may have no alternative.
And here we look at some of those defensive free agents Pools could consider as per transfermarkt.
9. Lewis Thompson
The former Blackburn Rovers youngster is without a club after leaving Scunthorpe United in the summer. The 23-year-old left-back would be a risk however given a serious injury picked up in February which he continues to recover from. (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) Photo: Pete Norton
10. Joe Widdowson
The experienced full-back made over 120 appearances for Leyton Orient over a four-year spell before leaving last summer. Since then Widdowson joined National League side Barnet where his season was impacted by injury. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images) Photo: Jacques Feeney
11. Rhys Bennett
31-year-old Bennett has plenty of Football League experience and is available after leaving Morecambe. The centre-back spent a season with Carlisle United in 2020-21 where he proved something of a defensive goal threat with five goals in 24 league appearances - something which would benefit Pools. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Photo: Stu Forster