Hartlepool boss Chris Turner today admitted he will have to consider his options up front after injury to Denis Behan.
The diagnosis on the ankle centre-forward Behan injured in Tuesday's 3-1 defeat to Southampton is not good news for Pools with the Irish striker expected to be out until the New Year.
James Brown and Adam Boyd will carry the major load up front an
d look set to start next Tuesday's game at Carlisle – but with the latter still suffering the after-effects of last season's cruciate knee ligament damage, Turner admits he cannot depend upon the 22-year-old staying fit.
And with Colin Larkin also on the treatment table with a hamstring strain, Turner will look around his squad for striking cover.
The director of sport did not expect to bring in another recruit before today's 5pm loan deadline and will rely on the existing members of his squad.
Turner will look towards the raw Billy Greulich, yet-to-impress Armann Bjornsson and even left winger Andy Monkhouse as options.
Turner said: "I could not foresee James Brown and Adam Boyd being fit for the whole of the six or seven games Denis will be missing.
"Ideally, I would love that to happen but you just never know with James. Billy, Armann and Andy might have to go up the front."
Turner described the news that Behan had injured his ligaments as a "nightmare".
Behan had just returned to the starting line-up from a two-game absence after showing signs that his 24 games in the Irish League prior to joining Pools were taking their toll.
"It's a nightmare really because I thought he was back to his best on Tuesday night," said Turner.
"It's as bad as a break in some respects because with a break it just heels and goes back to normal. With ligaments, it becomes a bit of a weakness."
