SCOTT FENWICK, the in-form Hartlepool United striker is a major injury worry – amid concerns he could be out for up to six weeks.

The former Northern League man has been a revelation since stepping up to the professional game in November. His goal against Stevenage last weekend was his fifth for the club and his fourth in six games.

But an ankle injury is threatening to curtail his appearances. Fenwick missed the midweek win over Northampton, but was able to make the bench last time out.

However, it remains to be seen if he is available for tomorrow’s game at Bury, which would mean only Marlon Harewood and Marvin Morgan would be the only out and out centre-forwards available for boss Ronnie Moore.

He said: "We are just waiting on Scott, his ankle is sore. As a security we will get it scanned and see what the outcome is.

“When we played at Tranmere he got a whack then and he’s been carrying it. He’s overstretched it in training as well. Sometimes you can drain it off, or a steroid injection works too.

“But if not it could be an operation, four to six weeks out or put it in a boot for a few weeks to settle down. Right now, we don’t know the answer.’’

Moore added: “He’s come on 100 per cent since I’ve been here. I wasn’t too sure when I came, and he was playing in straight lines like a non-league striker. Now we’ve got him playing off the shoulder and he’s getting caught offside now.

“It’s a learning curve, he’s never done it before and it’s about timing runs. He is the only threat for us right now.’’

The Pools boss was openly critical of Morgan and Harewood last weekend. The latter was replaced by Fenwick at half-time following a desperately poor 45 minutes.

Morgan stayed on, but Moore said: “I went a long, long way to watch Morgan play for Plymouth reserves and if anyone had come with me then they would have said sign him up for three years – get him.

“That’s how well he played. Since he came in, he’s not reproduced that. He’s scored, but he’s never going to be an aerial threat, he’s more link up and playing people in.

“I thought Harewood was fantastic against Northampton in his hold up play and bringing players in. But people remember how many opportunities he had and his link-up play with Jack Compton was there to be seen.

“Sometimes he doesn’t help himself, it looks like he’s not trying – that’s not the case as players do try. It didn’t work out for him.’’

And, while Moore tries desperately to add to his striking ranks – without much success although he did land attacker Jordan Jones from Middlesbrough last week – he is looking at internal options.

“The goal threat at the moment is down to one man and we need more than that,’’ he mused. “Do we move Jonathan Franks up front? But that disrupts things.

“If I was brave enough, Scotty Harrison in training.... he reminds me of myself as a player. He’s a centre-half not a forward, but has ability, good finish, heads it and can finish.

“Sometimes you get a gut feeling as a manager and made to look good or silly. Are we at desperation stages yet to try it? I’ll keep thinking of it for now.’’

Matthew Bates won’t be fit for tomorrow, still sidelined with the dead leg he suffered in the 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth two weeks ago.

Midfielder Tommy Miller didn’t play in the midweek reserve defeat at Hull as a precaution. He has been out since October with a calf injury and played 45 minutes for the second string last week, but will train with the first team from Monday.