MICHAEL WOODS is a big injury concern for Hartlepool United for Saturday’s game with Carlisle.

The influential midfielder picked up an ankle knock in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup defeat to Bournemouth and is rated a doubt.

Bradley Walker, his likely replacement, is absent with a thigh strain and boss Ronnie Moore is trying to boost his midfield options by making a loan signing ahead of the game.

Striker Billy Paynter was replaced at half-time in midweek and Moore hopes the captain’s hamstring strain doesn’t keep him out of the game against the club he left during the summer.

Moore said: “Harry Worley isn’t far off to be fair, he could be OK next Tuesday but we can’t risk him this week. Everyone else, Woodsy is 60-40 against and he probably won’t play.

“We have to be careful with him and he’s just come back from a horrible injury and we’ve played two games a week so far which takes it out of you, so we are governed by how he feels.

“We all know what a good player he is and Buster got him back and he got himself back quickly – he put the effort in to get back fit and playing. He’s a big player for us, gets on the ball and passes it and we aren’t as good as when he’s not playing.’’

“Brad has a thigh strain and he’s had a scan and it will be three to five days recovery. It’s down to him really and if he wants to rest it then it’s what he wants to do.

Of Paynter he added: “Billy went off the other night and it’s touch and go with him. Heads or tails. Right down to the wire.’’