Injury update on Hartlepool United defender that could impact Sunderland loan deal

Johnson has been on loan with Hartlepool over the last month from Sunderland and has established himself as a regular in John Askey’s starting line-up within that time.

Johnson’s month-long loan move from the Stadium of Light was an opportunity for Hartlepool to assess the value of retaining the services of the teenager longer-term in the National League, whilst providing a first team environment for the defender from Sunderland’s perspective.

And Johnson is considered to have performed well by Hartlepool boss Askey who, as revealed by The Mail, has agreed to extend the defender's loan deal until the New Year, injury pending.

But that injury is not considered to be an issue after first team coach Antony Sweeney suggested Johnson may only be out for a number of days after being brought off during the first half of Hartlepool's defeat to Aldershot Town with a groin problem.

"Zak’s is a minor issue as I’m led to believe, I’m not a qualified physio,” said Sweeney.

"He felt something in his groin – whether that’s something to keep him out for a long period, I don’t think it is. It might be days more than anything else.

"But we’ll see how it settles down and make a decision on when he’s involved in the squad, but I think it’s a short-term [injury] more than a long term.”