Baldwin's season appears to be over (From The Advertiser Series)

Baldwin's season appears to be over

8:00am Monday 11th March 2013 in Sport By Nick Loughlin

JACK BALDWIN could have played his last game this season for Hartlepool United.

He suffered a knee ligament injury in Tuesday's draw with Colchester at Victoria Park, landing awkwardly after he jumped for a header in his penalty area.

The midfielder, who has been attracting interest from a number of higher division clubs of late, had a scan on Friday and the results weren't very positive.

"The scan has come back on Jack and it's a grade two,'' said boss John Hughes. "That could mean five to six weeks out. His season could be over.

"We're hoping he'll be a quick healer and he might get back for the last couple.

"It's disappointing we've lost him because he was in a real good vein of form.

"But we need to adjust and deal with it."

Hughes admits Saturday's 0-0 draw with Yeovil was another missed opportunity for his squad.

With their other relegation rivals all losing - apart from Portsmouth, who beat Bury - Pools sit six points short of safety ahead of tomorrow's trip to Oldham.

"I need leaders of men - guys who won't feel sorry for themselves and will go and express themselves,'' declared Hughes.

"We can't sit back and hope it happens, we need to go and make it happen. I wanted three points regardless of what happens elsewhere.

"We were just a wee bit flat in terms of making it happen.

"You can see the supporters are right behind the players and are desperate for us to win. The boys gave plenty but you have to make sure you don't beat yourself.''

He added: "I didn't have to say much at half-time, the boys did it themselves. They said 'come on, we've got more to give'.

"It's nice that they're taking management of that.

"It's okay being disappointed but you need to go again on Tuesday and do something about it.

"We're giving ourselves a chance but there's a frustration we didn't get three points because everyone else got beat. If it happens on the last day of the season then we'll take it.''