Hartlepool United Q&A: Nicky Featherstone injury impact, National League season latest, Raj Singh backing and could Luke Armstrong join Pools permanently?

Our Pools writer Dominic Scurr has been answering your questions…

What’s the latest on Nicky Featherstone’s injury?

Featherstone is set to miss the next two weeks due to a medial ligament injury picked up during the win over Sutton United.

Hartlepool manager Dave Challinor has cited the away match at Barnet on February 27 as a realistic return date for the midfielder who had been ever present prior to his injury.

How will his absence impact the side?

There is no understating the midfielder’s importance to Pools and the way they play – the manner in which he can take the ball under pressure and spread it around the pitch has made in one of if not the first name on Challinor’s teamsheet over the past two seasons.

But Tuesday night’s match at Solihull Moors forced things to change with Tom Crawford and Tom White coming in alongside Mark Shelton to make up the midfield three.

And for the most part, the change worked well with White adopting a similar sort of role to Featherstone, sitting in front of the back line while Crawford and particularly Shelton were given licence to roam forward and attack.

White’s arrival on loan from Blackburn has proven to be a timely one that will help fill the gap left in Featherstone’s absence, but the 23-year-old is still looking to get back to full match fitness after a difficult spell at Bolton Wanderers.

What is the latest with the National League?

It’s still a complete mess and it’s only getting messier.

It’s looking likely that Hartlepool’s season in the National League will continue, at least if we’re going off the suggestions from the resolution vote.

But things are, to put it mildly, kicking-off in the National League North and South with clubs refusing to play and the National League threatening these clubs with fines and sanctions that will further impact their finances.

Regardless of whether Pools will play on or not, irreparable damage has been caused by the National League.

Will Armstrong join on a permanent transfer?

If Hartlepool were to get promoted it’s certainly a conversation that will be had. The striker is loving life back in the north east and if he wishes to stay in the area, Pools are his best option that would guarantee games.

But there are several hurdles standing in Pools’ way. Firstly, there are several League Two clubs interested in Armstrong and he remains under contract at Salford.

Pools would likely have to shell out a transfer fee as well as make the striker comfortably the club’s highest earner in order to secure his services on a permanent basis.

It’s possible if they were to get promoted, but that’s a big if.

What have you made of Raj Singh’s backing of Challinor?

Given the circumstances, it has been very good. You just hope it’s not a situation of make or break this season, but in fairness, Singh has pushed the boat out to secure the likes of Armstrong and Sterry in particular.

Budgets were understandably cut this season but right now, Pools’ squad looks stronger than it’s ever been in the National League.

What are the implications of not getting promoted this season?

Despite cuts this season, the club has managed fairly well on the pitch as they sit right near the top of the National League table. And Dave Challinor is contracted until the end of next season which is a big positive.

Every season the club remains in the National League there is going to be uncertainty over the future and this season would be no different. Further cuts are to be expected but as long as Challinor remains in charge with a competitive budget, there’s hope.

What do you make of the situation with Claudio Ofosu and Josh MacDonald?

Unfortunately, it’s just part of football and as harsh as it may sound, the side have managed perfectly fine without them in the team.

Challinor had been looking to loan the pair out but the uncertainty over the National League North and South seasons has prevented that.

With the system Pools play, neither are defensive enough to be wing-backs. At the moment, Pools just have too many players in similar positions that are above them in the pecking order.

Ofosu is an unpredictable player while Challinor has previously questioned MacDonald’s fitness. The Pools boss needs players he can depend on both physically and mentally.

Where is Henrich Ravas?

The Derby County loanee is still part of Pools’ squad though it can be easy to forget given that Challinor rarely names a goalkeeper on the bench.

But Ben Killip has barely put a foot wrong since coming back into the side. It’s a very difficult position being a second choice goalkeeper as you’re effectively banking on either an injury, mistake or a bad result in order to get a chance.

Brad Young’s season at Blyth Spartans likely to get cut short but that isn’t likely to have a significant impact on the goalkeeping situation at Pools as Ravas is set to remain at the club until the end of the season.

Does Challinor know his best XI?

I’d say so yes. The fact Pools have won six of their last seven league matches with no unforced changes to the side suggests that Pools’ best line-up has been established.

Rhys Oates and Luke Armstrong are the best strike partnership in the National League at the moment. Killip remains solid in goal and the three in front of him are getting better by the game, not to mention the wing backs of David Ferguson and Jamie Sterry are irreplaceable at the moment.

But now with White on board, where does he fit in? And what about the returning Gary Liddle? Are they better options? Only time will tell.

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