HARTLEPOOL United's promotion hopes took a hammer blow last night with the news that leading scorer Gordon Watson will be out of action for up to four weeks.

The 13-goal striker, a revelation since moving to Pool in September, will undergo knee surgery this morning.

Watson hobbled off in Tuesday's draw at Hull and was yesterday informed by the club specialist that he needed surgery to repair damaged cartilage. He was admitted to hospital last night.

Watson suffered the injury in the 2-2 draw at Luton in December and it was hoped he could continue until the end of the campaign before needing an operation.

However, a heavy Boothferry Park pitch made the knee worse.

"It's a major blow," said manager Chris Turner. "You're bound to miss someone who scores 13 goals for you in so few games.

"He's played with a little bit of pain, but John Murray told him to let us know as soon as it got too much. The pitch on Tuesday put extra strain on it, and we knew we had to do something.''

Kevin Henderson will make his return to the Pool side this afternoon in place of Watson.

Turner is delighted to have Henderson - who has bagged 25 League goals in the last two seasons - back in the frame for the visit of Torquay to Victoria Park.

The striker has suffered a frustrating season, netting just once and making only nine League starts in a campaign ravaged by injury and suspension.

He underwent knee ligament surgery before Christmas and Turner said: "He came on the other night and did very well for 20 minutes. He has trained well and looks sharp.

"It's a good time for him to be coming back because we are at home, playing well and everyone is full of confidence.

"It's been unfortunate for him because his season has never got going.

"But it's exciting to have him back now. He's never played in a 4-4-2 for us and with Paul Smith whipping over crosses for him, he should be able to help himself to goals.''

Henderson will be partnered up front by Adam Boyd, whose late strike on Tuesday earned Pool a point.

Boyd has been a peripheral figure at Pool this season, but Turner believes the 19-year-old is coming of age - and with Watson out of action, this could be his chance.

"He played very well on Tuesday and caused them problems all night,'' said Turner.

"When someone comes in you want them to make it impossible for you to leave them out and that is what Adam has done.

"This is a great chance for him to earn a place in the team and make the most of his chance. If he keeps playing like he did at Hull how can I leave him out?''

Tuesday's draw at Boothferry Park means Pool have suffered just two defeats in 13 outings.

Pool currently sit in 12th place, seven points behind Shrewsbury in seventh spot but with three games in hand.

The bulk of those games in hand come thick and fast this month, with midweek games at Bristol Rovers, Darlington, Cheltenham and at home to Lincoln to come in the coming weeks.

"We have been playing well lately and we need to keep it going if we are to make the play-offs,'' said Turner. "Our home form has been very good, playing good football and creating lots of chances as well. The boys are confident going into the games. They need the odd kick every now and again, but who doesn't?

"We should have beaten Torquay down there earlier in the season, no doubt about it. Now we just have to get at them from the start.

"At home we have been great, but we need to start picking up more points away from home. A couple of extra away wins are required and if we can do that while keeping our home form going then we can get right up there.

"Back-to-back away wins would do us the world of good and really lift us up there. We've got three away games in a week to come - Bristol Rovers, York and Darlington - and we need to be winning two of those.''

Striker Tim Parkin, who had a fruitless two-month loan spell at Pool, has moved to York on loan from Barnsley.

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