Hartlepool United without SIX players for trip to Dover Athletic as manager Dave Challinor provides the latest updates

Injuries to Fraser Kerr (back), Michael Raynes (quad), Josh Hawkes (abdomen), Luke Williams (hamstring), Luke James (groin) as well as Gime Toure’s suspension leaves Pools slightly short on numbers when they travel to Crabble this weekend.

“I don’t think Fraser or Raynesy will be involved on the weekend,” Challinor reaffirmed following their withdrawals during Tuesday night’s win over Eastleigh.

“Fraser’s back problem is just about seeing how it settles but it’s not a long term issue.

“Raynesy had a scan yesterday and it looks a pretty serious one with his quad and again it would be stupid to speculate how long he’ll be out but it certainly won’t be a short term one.

“Hawkesy has had his scan so hopefully we’ll get the results from him today and have a clearer picture of what to do with him moving forward.

“Luke Williams is closer, how close I wouldn’t like to speculate. At Christmas, and the same went for Luke Molyneux, I didn’t anticipate that I’d see either of them until the back end of January and nothing has changed there really.

“Even with Luke Molyneux being involved as a substitute, we’ve still got to get him to the point where he can start games for us.

“He’s not had that at the moment but from his perspective he’s been fortunate and it’s given him a boost that we’ve had some injuries that have allowed him to all of a sudden be a good impact player for us off the bench.

“Hopefully we can increase his workload and his minutes so that he can make an impact from the start.”

Defender Aaron Cunningham has since returned after recovering from an MCL injury and could be given a chance in the coming matches.

“Aaron is fit but he’s had to be patient and wait for an opportunity,” Challinor added.

“I suppose with other people’s misfortune he’ll be one who will get an opportunity because squad-wise, everybody will be involved who is fit.”