Hartlepool United manager Kevin Phillips confirms that talismanic midfielder Anthony Mancini has returned to France to seek a specialist's opinion on groin injury

The 22-year-old, who missed a large chunk of the season with a severe hamstring tear, damaged his groin in January's win over York but was deemed fit enough to return to the matchday squad for the first time ahead of the visit of Southend.

The midfielder was introduced as a second half substitute shortly after the hour but appeared to be struggling almost from the moment he came on and was taken off some 12 minutes later.

And Phillips said the former Accrington Stanley man has now returned to his native France to seek a specialist opinion in a bid to overcome the ongoing issues with his groin.

"It's been a frustrating one for Anthony," he told BBC Radio Tees Sport.

"We're all frustrated - but him especially.

"It's an injury that probably should have only taken two weeks, but it's taken a bit longer.

"We were very cautious after the long term injury he had, just to hold him back.

"He had a good week's training leading into the game and I rang him on Saturday morning to ask if he was ok to sit on the bench and he assured me he was fine.

"He's come on and he's had a setback, it happens.

"We've done everything we possibly can and now what we've done is send him back to France.

"He's had some success there with the medical team so he's there to have a consultation and to speak to his people, to see if there's anything that they can see."