Chelsea decision lies ahead after Hartlepool United handed major injury concern
Hartlepool United were handed a major injury concern following Saturday’s win against National League rivals Woking.
Lee Clark admitted Hartlepool United are ‘in the hands of Chelsea now’ after on-loan goalkeeper Max Merrick appeared to suffer a recurrence of a thigh injury during Saturday’s home win against National League rivals Woking.
The England Under-20 international has impressed during the early weeks of his season-long stay at Victoria Park - but a thigh injury he initially suffered ahead of last month’s defeat at Sutton United brought a temporary end to what had been a promising introduction to his time with Pools. Merrick returned to the starting eleven for defeats against Eastleigh and FC Halifax Town over the last week and he retained his place in Clark’s side for Saturday’s meeting with Woking.
However, the 20-year-old stopper hobbled out of the action just after the half-hour mark and was replaced by former Middlesbrough youngster Nathan Fisher as he came on to make his home league debut after joining Pools during a hectic summer. Fisher went on to play a leading role in helping Clark’s side return to winning ways after emerging pointless from their last three game and one save to deny experienced striker John Marquis in the final minutes of the game drew acclaim from Poolies around The Vic.
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Clark praised Fisher for producing an ‘accomplished performance’ in such challenging circumstances - and confirmed the next steps of Merrick’s recovery will lie in the hands of his parent club as they await confirmation over the severity of his injury. Speaking after Saturday’s win, the Pools boss said: “I would imagine that will be a few weeks at least. We’ve got to get to the bottom of it, it’s so stop-start. He’s such a wonderful, wonderful keeper. We will be in the hands of Chelsea now. They have to dictate what happens but I would have thought it would be a few weeks to get it back to 100 percent.
“Nathan Fisher came on and gave an accomplished performance so somebody else’s problems give someone else an opportunity and Nathan has taken his. We will be guided by Chelsea now and what is required for Max’s recovery. It’s the same injury.”
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