Injury latest from Hartlepool United as Dave Challinor provides injury update on Gary Liddle with former Newcastle United and Sunderland full-backs expected to return

The 34-year-old hasn’t featured since October after suffering a grade three tear to his adductor in the 6-0 FA Cup win at Ilkeston Town.

Challinor described it as a ‘freak injury’ as the centre-back was ruled out until the new year.

But now Liddle is back in full-training alongside fellow defenders Lewis Cass and David Ferguson, who recently picked up respective hamstring and shin injuries.

Cass and Ferguson are back in contention to face Wealdstone at Victoria Park this weekend but Liddle is still facing another few weeks on the sidelines before being called into action.

“With Lidds, his rehab has gone really well and had no ill-effects,” Challinor said.

“He’s been involved in training this week and will be involved in contact training today but won’t be involved in the weekend or Tuesday matches.

"We’ll try and plan a game next week when we’ve got a free weekend to get him and a few others the minutes they need.

“If I’m being honest, if we can get a practice game into him and get him back fully training for a couple of weeks then we’re looking at bringing him back into the fold where early February, maybe a week before is where we can expect him to be back playing."

Midfielder Mark Shelton is also available this weekend after suffering a broken hand in the Boxing Day win over Halifax Town.

Challinor added: “In terms of our first team squad, everybody is training which is a good place to be from our perspective.

“Fergie did some work this week and will train and hopefully there are no reactions and he is available for us on Saturday. That’s the hope but we’ll see how it transpires in the next 24 to 48 hours.

“Shelts is fine to train and play with no ill-effects or concern the fracture will get worse. He’s had another appointment this morning but it’s more a psychological barrier than anything else. It’s about him being comfortable and he his so he’ll be available.”

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