Hartlepool manager praises Saint Keith

HARTLEPOOL United manager Craig Harrison has praised “strong character” Keith Watson as he edges closer to a return from an out-of-theordinary injury.

However, Craig said the club are refusing to put a timeframe on any potential first-team return for the defender who St Johnstone team boss Tommy Wright has put out to the National League side on loan.

Watson, who also played for Dundee United, has remained at the English club’s training base after suffering a knee injury at Leyton Orient in September.

The i njury is like nothing Harrison, or Pools’ medical staff, have ever experienced.

Harrison described the problem like something more often seen in car crash victims, or high impact sports like rugby. And, due to the recovery process, it is impossible for Pools or Watson to know when he will play again.

With that brings its own mental challenges, as Harrison, whose career was ended by serious injury, knows all too well.

“He is doing pitch recovery at the moment,” said the manager.

“The frustrating thing for myself and Keith is that it is symptomatic led.

“It’s basically a day-by-day thing, asking him ‘how did you feel after that?’ and passing a different hurdle every day. It would be reckless of us to put a timeframe on it because it is another freaky injury.

“If our physio goes on for another 30 or 40 years, he may never see another injury like it. It is nothing muscular or ligament. It is just out the ordinary for a footballer.”

Many expected Watson’s chances of an extended Victoria Park stay to be over when he was ruled out longterm. However, Harrison said there is method in the perceived madness of keeping a player who may not kick a ball for months.

“Even if it was seven, eight, nine weeks to him coming back, we could work to that. However, the frustrating thing for him and me is we cannot say that,” Harrison said.

“He was a big part of our team at the start of the season. He is well liked and an influential figure. He’s a mainstay in the dressing-room.”

With budgets tightening, Harrison has been told he must get players off the books before he does any transfer business.

That includes the extension of the Scot’s deal, which ends next month.

“It’s difficult but we want to extend the loan if possible,” said Harrison.

St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright put Watson out on loan this season.