GARY LIDDLE is to make a swift return to the Hartlepool United side with the aid of a specially fitted protective mask.

The midfielder smashed a cheekbone in the opening stages of last Saturday’s home draw with Walsall.

He only came out of hospital hours before Tuesday’s draw with Huddersfield at Victoria Park, but is expected to be back at the club’s training ground today.

While Saturday’s trip to Stevenage is likley to come too soon, the game at Rochdale the following weekend is a realistic target.

“Gary came out of the hospital about 4pm on Tuesday.

He feels okay, a little bit tender obviously,” said Mick Wadsworth. “It’s not in a terribly dangerous place – that’s why the doctors made the decision he could continue on Saturday.

“It’s to the side of his eye, not underneath near his eye socket. The operation went well and the surgeon has been absolutely fantastic.”

He added: “They have taken a mould to make a mask and when that comes, if Gary is confident – which I know he will be – he can start training and playing as soon as he feels up to it.

“We are expecting to get the mask in the next two or three days and it’s marvellous news.

“Certainly a week on Saturday I would expect him back in contention, so we are all going to buy some copies of Phantom of the Opera!’’ Liddle was not missed on Tuesday as the Pools’ midfield got their better of their Huddersfield counterparts.

Ritchie Humphreys, Paul Murray and Colin Larkin worked hard in the middle and, while Pools have yet to win in four games this season, there’s no panic from anyone at Victoria Park.

“It was as good a performance as I’ve ever had in a 0- 0 draw,’’ said Wadsworth.

“From the kick up the backside we had on Saturday, I think it was a good response.

“The header that Gary got injured in he had no chance of winning. But that’s Gary – he is brave beyond good sense really.

“He is a courageous lad and I thought he had his best game last Saturday. I thought he started slowly but he has done a good job because he is always there and will win headers, challenges, tackles and he has passed the ball in the first two games as well as he did on Saturday.

“I thought he had a real good game and what is nice is that we have got players and terrific characters who can step in.

“We haven’t got a weak character in the group now.”

Pools’ game with Preston at Victoria Park has been put back from Tuesday, September 13 to Tuesday, November 29 because Phil Brown’s side will play in the Carling Cup on the scheduled evening.