LUKE MOLYNEUX last night had an X-ray on a leg injury – with Hartlepool United desperately hoping for a good outcome.

The attacker was felled by one-time Pools midfielder Paddy McLaughlin as Pools were beaten 2-1 at York City.

He went to the accident and emergency department at York district hospital after the game and Pools, who face Sheffield United Under-23s on Saturday at the Super 6 Stadium, are waiting on the outcome.

Pools boss Craig Hignett told the club website: “Luke has gone off with what looks a really nasty injury which I am really disappointed about.

“Obviously I know Paddy McLaughlin well and I know the type of player he is and I know he didn’t mean it. If the referee pulls some of the tackles up earlier then we don’t get that happening.

“Luke has gone for an x-ray but it’s very sore and tender so we’re hoping for the best, but we’ll just have to see where are with it.

“The last thing you want is a nasty injury in pre-season so fingers crossed it won’t keep him out for weeks and it will be less of an injury than we’re fearing.”

Molyneux impressed on loan in the second half of last season, after he had made a positive impact at Gateshead during his half-season loan from Sunderland.

He signed for Pools permanently in the summer after being released by Sunderland.