Trevor Carson blow for Hartlepool

Posted Friday, January 06, 2017 by PA

Sean Kavanagh is likely to come straight into the Hartlepool side to face Grimsby but goalkeeper Trevor Carson may not play again this season.

Defender Kavanagh signed on loan from Fulham until the end of the season on Thursday and is expected to come in at left-back.

However, Carson is set to be a long-term absentee with the Northern Ireland international told he requires surgery on a shoulder problem which is likely to sideline him for the remainder of the campaign.

Adam Bartlett will continue in Carson's absence, while defender Matthew Bates showed no ill-effects following his return from a back problem against Accrington and should start.

Grimsby may have new signing Gavin Gunning available after he completed his move to Blundell Park from Scottish Championship side Morton on Thursday.

And striker Adi Yussuf is also in line for his full debut after he came off the bench to score his side's third goal in their impressive 3-1 win at Carlisle on Monday.

Otherwise boss Marcus Bignot is likely to keep changes to a minimum as he looks to maintain the momentum from the performance at Brunton Park.

Sean McAllister, James Berrett, Ashley Chambers and Luke Summerfield are all set to remain sidelined due to injury.