Injury could sideline Pool's Daniel for weeks

The winger was forced off after pulling up injured towards the end of Pool’s 4-1 win over Newport County on Saturday.

The 28-year-old suffered what is thought to be a hamstring strain, which is likely to rule him out for a number of weeks.

Pool boss Bowyer said of the way Daniel suddenly went down: “Colin got the classic sniper-from-the-stand.

“We were disappointed with that one because he’s been terrific for us lately and he was immense once again.

“So he’ll probably miss a couple of weeks with what looks like a hamstring.

“Hopefully he can come back because he’s been in great form for us recently, so the timing is not great.”

Before the injury, Daniel had enjoyed a run of seven consecutive starts in the league, which had coincided with the Seasiders climbing the League Two table.

They now sit in seventh place – back in the play-off spots – after getting back to winning ways against bottom-of-the-table Newport.

The Seasiders were dealt a further blow when full-back Kelvin Mellor was stretchered off towards the end of the game – but his injury is not believed to be as bad as first feared.

“I don’t think Kelvin’s will be as bad as it looked,” Bowyer added.

“He got a bang to the knee but we’re hopeful it won’t be as serious as it looked. We are hopeful he’ll be fit for next weekend.”

Pool were handed a boost before Saturday’s game with the timely return of striker Kyle Vassell, who capped off a fine team performance with a superb solo goal.

It means the in-form striker now has 11 goals in all competitions this season.

He was forced to sit out last Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Mansfield after failing a fitness test on the morning of the game, though only match Pool have lost in their last eight.

Bowyer said: “We were disappointed Kyle couldn’t make it on Tuesday but we saw against Newport just what a handful he is and he took his goal brilliantly. He was really strong and finished it off well.

“The reaction from him was immense and his goal was a great bit of centre-forward play, showing great strength to hold the defender off and then a wonderful finish.”

Blackpool now turn their focus to Saturday’s FA Cup second round tie against National League North side Brackley Town.

Pool saw off their league rivals Kidderminster Harriers in the first round with a routine 2-0 win.