Hartlepool United injury latest: How long will Ryan Donaldson be out? Matthew Bates offers update

The winger turned right wing-back limped out of last weekend’s 1-1 home draw with Eastleigh and fears were that the 27-year-old could be set for an extended spell on the sidelines.

But manager Matthew Bates has revealed the player may only be unavailable for this weekend’s trip to Halifax Town and Tuesday’s clash with Salford City, meaning Donaldson has a chance of a return at the Super 6 Stadium against Aldershot in eight days time.

Bates said: “Ryan will miss the weekend, the next two games and then we hope to have him back for Aldershot the week after.

“At the moment it looks OK. The aim is for Aldershot, but if that’s the case he will probably not train until Thursday next week.

“That’s how it looks but it could change.”

Whether just two games or more, Donaldson will be a massive miss for Pools, according to Bates.

Although, he does feel he has options in his squad, with Kenton Richardson likely to deputise in his absence.

“Ryan is going to be a big miss - he has been one of our best players this season,” said Bates.

“But again we thought Andrew Davies would be a miss when he got injured earlier this season.

“What happened, though, was players stepped up when he was out and in the end it has meant we have not missed him as much as we feared at the time.

“It is exactly the same type of thing we are looking for with Ryan out the team. We want players to step up and fill the gap.”