CRAIG HIGNETT feels something is missing from football 2019: mental strength.

The Hartlepool United boss started out at Liverpool in 1986 as a young hopeful, ending his playing days with Pools some 21 years later.

It was a time of no nonsense football, but the game has changed now in many ways and, not all for the better.

Hignett has a string of players absent through injury at Victoria Park and feels a players’ outlook and mindset goes a long way in the game.

“I’ve some lads who are really good professionals at doing their rehab and others who it goes in one ear and out the other – for those we have to make sure it registers or they won’t be playing,’’ he reflected.

“Last year with these injuries we couldn’t cope, this year we have a good squad with competition and everyone has a chance of playing. Be patient and take your chance when it happens.

“I know who I can trust and will run through a brick wall and those who need moddycolling before they are ready. Sometimes in football you have to accept you are never 100 per cent. I think we have lost a bit of that in football if I’m honest and people only want to play when they are 100 per cent.’’

Hignett has seven players either ruled out or doubtful for tomorrow’s home game with Bromley.

Luke Williams he was ruled out of last season through injury, returned for pre-season training and appeared in the last ten minutes of last week’s defeat at Halifax, only to be sidelined again with a different injury.

This time he has bent his knee the wrong way, which leads to swelling and reduced movement.

Hignett admitted: “Luke has hyper-extended his knee and missed a few training sessions and he needs to get it right. It’s not the knee he had problems with last season, but the other one.

“Josh Hawkes and Luke Molyneux are still coming back, Gus Mafuta wasn’t right the other night with a sore foot, Luke James missed Maidenhead because his Mrs is about to give birth, but was involved the other night.

“Nicke Kabamba has a twisted ankle and struggling, Kenton Richardson the same – it’s a long old list.

“A lot are the forward thinking players as well who can make a difference. A bit of quality helps massively and those are the ones missing.’’

Hignett added: “We had seven the other night who were out or doubts and who probably shouldn’t have played but had to. We have to look at the injuries, why we get them and why they are taking so long to clear up.

“You want players like Ryan (Donaldson) – he’s not played pre-season but desperate to get involved again. He’s come in and been fantastic in two games he’s played, he wants to play and those are the characters you need and I’ve got a few of them.

“Some aren’t doing enough to get fit and need to look after themselves a bit better and have more desire.’’