HARTLEPOOL United are facing an anxious wait on Jamie Sterry’s fitness after the defender picked up a fresh injury. 

The 26-year-old, who has featured nine times for Pools this season, missed Keith Curle’s first game in charge of the club with Reghan Tumilty taking his place. It finished goalless against Gillingham as Pools drop to the foot of the League Two table. 

With Pools returning to league action next Friday against Mansfield, the interim boss remains hopeful that the former Newcastle academy graduate will not be out for an extended spell.

Curle said: “Jamie Sterry hasn’t trained for the last two days. He has had a scan on his back but we’re hoping that it has settled down. We’re hoping that it might only be a period of time that sees him back playing quickly.”

Elsewhere, Broady Paterson was also absent from the matchday squad but he is expected to be available by the time Pools return to action on Friday evening.

The Pools boss added: “Broady Paterson has been suffering with migraine and headaches so he will be locked in a dark room with the lights switched off and no noise.”

Midfielder Tom Crawford will be available for the game at Field Mill after serving a one match suspension for picking up five yellow cards this season.