TOMMY Widdrington has been scratched from Chris Turner's plans for the remainder of the season - and the Pool boss now has three more injury worries to contend with.

Skipper Micky Barron, defender Chris Westwood and Mark Tinkler, who salvaged a point for Pool in Tuesday's 1-1 derby draw at Darlington, are all suffering ahead of Saturday's home game with Southend.

The trio - regulars in Turner's line-up - are expected to be fit for the weekend, but the loss of Widdrington is a huge blow to Pool's play-off hopes.

He hobbled off with a hamstring injury in the win over Scunthorpe on January 29 and was expected to be sidelined for up to eight weeks, but Turner confessed: "I think we can forget about him for the rest of this season.

"If Tommy comes back and plays it will be a major bonus to us. The problem is that he has been out for so long, it will take him time to get match fit and back in the swing of things again. We missed important players at Darlington and we have shown we can cope without them.

"We have a few knocks from the game, but hopefully they will be fit for Saturday. It's hard not to pick up some injuries on the heavy pitches we have played on recently.'' Turner, however, hopes to have leading scorer Gordon Watson back in contention for a starting role in the next week.

Watson, a spectator at Feethams on Tuesday, had keyhole knee surgery almost a fortnight ago and Turtner said: "He could be back for the Cheltenham game and if not then Kidderminster the following weekend.

"He is a major plus for us, no doubt about it. He has the ability to put chances away and has the experience as well.''

And after three successive away games Turner said: "It will be nice to get back home. But our fans could leave Darlington with their heads held high on Tuesday - we are five points ahead of them and have a game in hand."

l Pool reserves lost 2-0 at Notts County yesterday. Colin West fielded a number of players involved in Tuesday's match against Darlington but goals from Paul Heffernan and Richard Holmes meant County took the honours.

Pool: Hollund, Arnison, Sharp, O'Hara, Ross, Clarke, Sweeney, Robson, Henderson, Easter, Manson. Subs: Watts, Brackstone, Craddock.

*The Football League have ruled that QPR's transfer embargo will remain in place until they come out of administration. But manager Ian Holloway will be allowed to apply for dispensation should he need to replace injured or sold players. QPR received financial backing from fans to fund recent transfers, including the £350,000 signing of Daniel Shittu from Charlton, and the league were forced to impose the embargo after receiving complaints from rival clubs.

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