LEADING scorer Billy Paynter is a big doubt for Hartlepool United this weekend.

The 15-goal front man went off during Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Carlisle United with a hamstring strain.

He is being assessed today at the club's training ground, but boss Craig Hignett, speaking at this morning's press conference, admitted his skipper is facing a battle to be fit.

"Billy felt his hamstring the other night,'' said Hignett, who will discover on Friday morning if he has been named the Sky Bet League Two manager of the month for March.

"Buster will assess that and then we'll see where he is for the weekend.

"At the minute I would say it was touch and go.

"Billy has been another one who has been fantastic for me.

"He's a leader, he;s great in the dressing room and he scores goals, he'll be a big miss."

Pools were also without Nathan Thomas on Tuesday, and he too is a concern for the trip to Morecambe.

“Nathan has a really bad infection, seen the doctor and suffers from asthma. He’s struggling a bit, but could be in tomorrow for training,'' said Hignett, who will assess Michael Woods (dead leg) in training today to see if he is in contention for Saturday.