Hartlepool United defender Aaron Cunningham has season cut short due to injury while on loan at Blyth Spartans

The 23-year-old centre back will require surgery on his ankle and is unlikely to play again this season regardless of whether the campaign continues in the National League and National League North.

Cunningham has been back with Pools since first picking up the injury before the turn of the year but technically remains on loan at Blyth until the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Speaking to The Mail, manager Dave Challinor confirmed: “Aaron has been injured and picked up a big gash on his shin and ankle around Christmas time.

"He has been to see a specialist and he’s going to require an operation on his ankle anyway. Regardless of him being on loan at Blyth, his season looks over more or less and his recovery will start once we get the okay to get his surgery completed.”

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