Matthew Bates offers fitness update on injured Hartlepool United duo Niko Muir and Ryan Donaldson
Hartlepool United boss Matthew Bates has offered an injury update on key first-team duo Ryan Donaldson and Niko Muir.
Muir limped out of Tuesday's 3-0 defeat to Salford City after just 17 minutes, having twisted his ankle.
Donaldson tweaked a hamstring earlier this month against Eastleigh and missed both the Salford clash and the trip to Halifax Town last weekend.
Bates, though, is hopeful that both could yet be involved this weekend against Aldershot.
On Muir, he said: "He is going to get assessed again today (Thursday) and we will see how he is. We hope he will train with us tomorrow.
"But we will not know where we are at until after the assessment. It is still early days with it really.
"We thought it was a kick at the game, that was what it seemed to be from the pain he showed. But, watching it back, and being assessed, it looks like a twisted ankle.
"From what the physio says it will not be a serious one, though. A day in the treatment room will hopefully help."
On Donaldson, the manager added: "It is the same for Ryan.
"He is not training with us today but fingers crossed he will be back tomorrow. He was a big miss for us on Tuesday so we want him back."
Luke Williams is back training with the main group and is expected to be fit this weekend.