MATTHEW Bates, the experienced Hartlepool United defender, is facing around two weeks on the sidelines.

Bates went off with a hamstring strain in Tuesday’s defeat at Luton, hobbling off after Luton’s second goal arrived on the 15 minute mark.

He won’t make tomorrow’s game at home to Plymouth, which means Brad Walker is likely to fill in alongside Scott Harrison in the middle of the back four.

Liam Donnelly suffered an ankle injury at Mansfield last Saturday and is a doubt for tomorrow, but will be assessed after training today. Kenton Richardson, who made his first start on Tuesday, will deputise if he’s not fit.

“We have lost Batesy, we lost Liam who could have moved to centre-half from right-back, but with a young squad we are dipping into the scholars,’’ said boss Dave Jones at Friday’s press conference at the club’s new training ground at the Racecourse in Durham.

“Batesy has had a scan, nothing has come up really serious so I think we are looking at 10-14 days.

“We have a young side, a very inexperienced side, and they have their all and there was a lot of tired bodies in the dressing room now.

“The home crowd will be key for us, that’s always the case. The more people who come, get behind the team and make noise the better.

“After the first 15 minutes the other night you could see our supporters appreciated what they saw.’’