Hartlepool United's Carl Magnay is getting closer to full fitness

Carl Magnay didn't feature for the reserves in their 3-0 defeat to Notts County

The midfielder/defender has been out since limping off late in Hartlepool United’s FA Cup second round replay win over Salford City on December 15.

It was hoped his groin strain would not keep him out too long but the injury has proven troublesome.

But the 27-year-old has worked hard over the past five days and Ronnie Moore is hopeful he can take part in full training this week.

The boss says they have had to show patience with his stand-in skipper.

“Maggers has trained, just straight running, so far,” said Moore.

“We can’t force a lad to play or train if he is not mentally right with the injury he has.

“But, then again, if you wait until you are 100 per cent fit, then you will never play.

“A player 100 per cent fit? It doesn’t happen.

“You often have a niggle, some stiffness, the only way to get rid of that is by playing games.

“We’ve spoken to him and hopefully he’ll knuckle down and get things done.”

Magnay is a key player for Pools and, when absent, his presence has been felt.

Brought in during the summer, primarily as a defender, the Gateshead-born player was pressed into service as a holding midfielder.

The transformation was incredible and his early form made him a player of the season prospect.

“Maggers gives us so many options in the areas where we probably need them at the moment,” Moore told SportMail.

“He can play midfield, centre-half, full-back, but we are just going to have to wait.”

With skipper Billy Paynter fit again, the injured list is getting shorter and Pools also hope to have right-back Michael Duckworth and central defender Harry Worley back next month.

Pools reserves are away to Chesterfield on Monday in the Final Third Development League though that will come too early for Magnay.