GAVIN Strachan is facing another spell on the sidelines, amid fears he is in need of surgery that could put an end to his season.

The Hartlepool United midfielder made a return to action in Tuesday's comfortable win over Chesterfield, a little over a fortnight after facing up to six weeks out with knee trouble. But he lasted just 47 minutes before the problem resurfaced and, according to boss Neale Cooper, Strachan is now "back to square one".

Strachan is likely to return to the specialist today and admitted: "I've had the problem for the last two weeks, but I didn't feel a thing for the first 45 five minutes. Then as I tried to jog out for the second half my knee just seized up on me.

"You can only go by what your body tells you and it felt perfect, but I gave it a go and it wasn't right.''

Cooper admitted: "It's a problem for us. He was fine at half-time and felt it on the way back out. He could be out for a while.''

Ritchie Humphreys is in line to play alongside Mark Tinkler in central midfield at Colchester on Saturday, with Matty Robson starting on the left wing.

Cooper was delighted with the performance on Tuesday and reflected: "Some of the football was first-class. I don't see how anyone can criticise the way we played the other night. We played some exceptional stuff through the midfield. It's about taking chances, Shuker could have had three or four, and scoring early in the second half gave us a big lift.

"Sometimes we got in behind them and the movement of the strikers was great.

"We caused them plenty of problems, especially in the second-half when Matty was there with his drive and pace. He gave us a different dimension.''

Adam Boyd's proposed transfer to Boston has hit the buffers. Boyd has agreed terms after a three-month loan spell, but a Boston spokesman last night revealed: "Hartlepool have requested a transfer fee which is above the amount originally agreed and above Boston's valuation.

"The deal is now dead unless Hartlepool make contact again to recommence negotiations.''

* The reserve game at Grimsby yesterday was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

* Pool's home game with Mike Newell's Luton Town has been rearranged for Tuesday, April 6.