CRAIG HIGNETT is backing Carl Magnay to make a full recovery. The Hartlepool United right-back has been ruled out for six months, and probably the season, with a cruciate knee ligament injury.

He suffered the blow in the first-half of last weekend’s 0-0 draw with Mansfield and Liam Donnelly will start in his place at Plymouth tomorrow.

Hignett, ahead of today’s haul to the south west – their second in two weeks after winning at Yeovil - said: Carl has been great for us. He is a good pro.

“He is a voice and we will miss him but the most important thing is that we do what is right by Carl. He will be away for 10 days to two weeks to get his head right.

“It is massive for him - he has a long road back. But he is the type of character who will cope with that.

“We wish him all the best in his recovery. He will be there for the lads, though. We have got a really good team spirit here.

“Even though he will be out of sight the lads will look after him.

“We want him to feel involved even though it will take him six months to get back anywhere near full fitness.’’

Donnelly, signed after being released from Fulham in the summer, impressed in his last two starts for Pools and is skipper of the Northern Ireland Under-21 side.

He started last week at left back, but switched to the opposite flank seamlessly and Hignett said: “We have Liam Donnelly able to step in, though. He played left back and then right back equally as well.

“And that's the difference in the squad this year - one door closes another one opens.

“Last week Jake Carroll hadn't trained a lot and missed the previous game through injury, he had to sit on the bench while Liam played well.’’

Rob Jones could be a contender for tomorrow, but is unlikely to travel with the effects of an seven-hour coach journey mind.

Of Jones and Matthew Bates, Hignett admitted: “They are not a million miles away. Rob is doing some light stuff this week, we are just seeing how he reacts.

“Matty might be a little bit longer. He has got a bit of bone bruising. We will see how long it takes for the bruising to die down and then he can step it up.

“It might be the case that we have to give them a few more days.’’

Both of Pools wins this season to date have come in the south west, at Exeter and Yeovil.

Tomorrow’s opponents have motored to the top of League Two and Hignett added: “Trips have been good down there.

“Exeter and Yeovil it was good to come away with a result because it can feel like you are stuck on a bus for about 10 hours getting there.

“We will travel down Friday, get some decent training in and see how it goes on Saturday.’’

Home boss Derek Adams has warned his players to be wary of Pools and said: Adams said: "Hartlepool have won a couple of games away from home and they play on the counter attack.

"They have got some direct and quick players and when they come here they will be looking to try to cause an upset. We have got to play a high intensity game."