NATHAN THOMAS is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a groin injury.

The Hartlepool United winger was impressive in Saturday’s defeat at Barnet, scoring one and creating the other to put Pools two goals ahead.

But he was stretchered off with the score at 2-1 to the visitors and Pools lost 3-2.

“Nathan scored and he has done his groin, in a bad way in there, so we assess him,’’ said Hignett.

“Nathan is a big miss when he’s not there. We passed it really well and got in some great areas and cut them open and it was s blow losing Nathan, he was a threat. Created one, scored one and was excellent all day.

“But it’s’ hard to single one players out as they all were good, we were comfortable and should have been able to see it out and kill it and it was a decision which cost us.

“We will miss Nathan a couple of weeks I’d guess, we assess him and take him from there. He’s on crutches.’’

Pools are considering an appeal against Liam Donnelly’s red card.

The defender was dismissed for making an attempt to win the ball off John Akinde, but referee Nicholas Kinseley decreed it a last-man foul.

Hignett pondered: “We can appeal? It’s a genuine attempt to get the ball we are talking a six foot four 15 / 16 stone lad and it’s incredible. The referee just lost the plot and was out of his depth.

“I asked him how long he wanted before I could go and see him I’d love to be all quiet but I can’t. I keep thinking I’ve seen the worst refereeing performance of my life and then I see another one the next week that’s worse.

“I don’t want to keep going on about it, it’s wrong to do so but when they cost you games, points and players, then what am I supposed to do?’’