Hartlepool United boss delivers positive Jack Nolan fitness update ahead of FC Halifax Town and Woking
Hartlepool United winger Jack Nolan made his comeback from injury in Friday night’s defeat against Eastleigh.
Hartlepool United head coach Lee Clark believes Jack Nolan’s impressive cameo in Friday’s home defeat against Eastleigh has given the winger a chance to play a more prominent role over the coming week.
The former Morecambe star was one of Pools’ most high-profile summer additions after they fought off competition from several EFL and National League clubs to secure the services of a player that scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in 39 league appearances throughout last season. After impressing during pre-season, Nolan made an immediate impact at Victoria Park as he and fellow new boy Will Harris found the net in the opening day win against Barrow.
However, a niggling injury forced him out of the action in a narrow win at Aldershot Town just a week later before Nolan was ruled out of last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Sutton United. On-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Max Merrick also missed the loss in South London - but Clark delivered a positive assessment of Merrick and Nolan’s bid to return to full fitness ahead of Friday’s home clash with Eastleigh earlier this week.
The Pools boss did stress the need for caution over the latter and insisted he would only be able to take a place on the bench as his fitness was carefully managed - and the winger was introduced into the action with quarter of an hour remaining before going close with some efforts in the closing stages. His bright performance was a major positive on a frustrating night for Clark and his players - and the Pools head coach is now hopeful he can make further use of Nolan during Tuesday’s visit to FC Halifax Town and Saturday’s home clash with Woking.
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He said: “They are two important players for us [Merrick and Nolan]. Unfortunately, the lack of training time Jack has had means we couldn’t give him more than we have given him tonight - but at least he’s come through it and shown some flashes of quality, which we know he has got and that will help him going forward for the game on Tuesday and then the game on the following Saturday.”
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