Hartlepool United manager Keith Curle has confirmed to the Hartlepool Mail that the club currently face an anxious wait over the fitness of defender Dan Dodds after the former Middlesbrough full-back pulled up with a groin injury in training.
The 22-year-old joined the club from the Championship side in January in a permanent deal after only making one first-team appearance at Middlesbrough, with the full-back already coming up with two goals in seven appearances for the club since his arrival.
Dodds missed the meeting at home to Newport County on Tuesday night as a result, in which Curle’s men fell to a late 1-0 to the Exiles at the Suit Direct stadium, with Mickey Demetriou glancing in a header from an Aaron Lewis corner into the back of the net in the closing stages to give his side all three points.
As a result of his absence, as well as a suspension to fellow right-back Jamie Sterry which meant he missed the game, Curle was forced to move left-back David Ferguson to the right-back role for the fixture to fill the void.
The late defeat for Hartlepool however means the club currently sit 22nd in the table and sit a point outside the relegation zone, with Crawley in 23rd having played four games less than Keith Curle’s side.
FT: Defeat.
🔵 0-1 🟠 #HARvNEW // #NeverSayDie pic.twitter.com/jWvKVP00Th
— Hartlepool United FC (@Official_HUFC) February 21, 2023
After the game, Curle told the Hartlepool Mail that it’s very much a waiting game to determine the extent of Dodds’ groin injury and has express the importance of having him in the team as the club approach a crucial final few months of the season as they look to retain their EFL status.
Curle said: “It’s a case of fingers crossed.
“Everybody knows the emergence of Dan Dodds and the impact he has, not only on games but also in the changing room and with the supporters as well. He’s a spark and [today] we needed a spark.
“Initially you have to let it settle down. We’re confident in Carl. He’ll make the right call and whether it needs a scan or whether he’s happy with his diagnosis but I’m the same as everybody else, I want Dan Dodds in my team.”
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Writers View
If the injury is proven to be serious for Dodds, it’s no doubt a massive blow for Keith Curle and Hartlepool United as they approach the final few months of the season with their place in the EFL still very much under threat.
Dodds has been a standout for the club since his move from Middlesbrough in January and has already made a huge impact in County Durham, even more so when he bagged an 88th minute winner against Doncaster Rovers to give his side a massive 1-0 win.
As mentioned, it’s now very much a waiting game for both Dodds and the club with neither of the two hoping his injury isn’t a serious one as it could possibly be season defining.
