FEARS that Carl Magnay, the Hartlepool United right-back, suffered a cracked rib on Saturday have eased.

After scoring twice in last week’s draw at Crewe, Magnay was forced off in the opening stages of Saturday’s home defeat to Notts County.

It was feared he had suffered an injury that could keep him out for a number of weeks, but the news was more positive yesterday.

X-rays showed no break and he has suffered cartilage damage, but is still likely to be out for around a month.

Jordan Richards replaced him at the weekend, but new recruit Liam Donnelly is also a right-back and could start against Newport on Saturday.

Magnay’s injury is the first knock Pools have had since returning to training for pre-season in June.

And boss Craig Hignett has praised the work of the club’s fitness staff in ensuring a clean bill of health.

Stuart Parnaby was recently appointed as pre and rehabilitation conditioning coach, working closely with physio Ian Gallagher and fitness coach Craig Hubbard.

Hignett said: “We’ve come through pre-season well and it’s how we want to do things. Parns being in here now helps and Craig has done well too.

“Craig does the essential stuff and Parns does the prehab and rehab stuff. Bringing Parns in was vital.

“The lads all respect him, he knows his stuff and anything preventing injures can only be a good thing. The lads look after themselves.

“They all come in early, do their work before and after training and before and after games and I think you can see evidence of it getting better.

“It’s about the mentality of the players. Don’t think it’s League Two so we don’t have to look after ourselves. It’s the opposite – you have to look after yourself more because we don’t have the facilities and everything that goes with Premier League clubs.

“We have to be on top of it and we are trying to drum it into them to look after themselves properly.’’