MICHAEL Raynes has returned to Crewe Alexandra after suffering a season-ending injury at Hartlepool United.

The centre-half moved to Pools on loan last month, but after making three performances he has suffered an Achilles tear.

And now, rather than recovering at Pools, his rehabilitation will be done at his parent club. He is out of contract in the summer and Pools are open to getting him back to the club next season once he is over his current problem.

There is an outside chance he could be fit before the season ends. 

In his absence, Pools have kept two clean sheets in successive away games in the last week and go into Saturday’s home game with Bromley with confidence on the up.

Captain Magnay has undergone surgery to fix a knee problem which affected him throughout the festive period.

Boss Craig Hignett said: "We have got a couple of knocks and bruises in the squad after Ebbsfleet but there is nothing major. We will assess those over the next day or so."