Pele to miss Notts County v Hartlepool United after injury to Jake Carroll

Jake Carroll's great run of form and run in the Hartlepool United side is in danger of ending.
Jake CarrollJake Carroll
Jake Carroll

The full-back, nominated as League Two player of the month for March, is a serious doubt for tomorrow night’s visit to Notts County.

Carroll took a blow to the head during a run forward late in Saturday’s 5-2 win at Morecambe.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite feeling groggy, the 24-year-old continued for several minutes before coming off in the dying moments to leave Pools to play out time with 10 men.

The Irishman was at no point unconscious so there will be no mandatory rest for him, though his manager admits he will probably not play at Meadow Lane.

“Jake had to come off,” explained Hignett. “He was feeling bad after taking a knock to the head.

“He said he couldn’t remember bits of the game so we told him he was Pele and to get back out on the pitch!

“Seriously, the kid was in a bad way and had to come off.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“To do what he did and to stay on for about five minutes was brilliant, but you can’t risk anyone in that situation.

“We’re talking about someone’s well-being here.

“He wasn’t knocked out, but took a blow and I think he will struggle for Notts County given the state he was in.”

It will be a blow to the defender – no-one has played more minutes than the Dubliner this season.

Carroll has been in superb touch in 2016 but especially during the reign of Hignett.

He was, briefly, dropped in favour of Dan Jones, who will be favourite to replace him against the Magpies.