Trevor Carson probably would have made his Northern Ireland debut during the week but his broken finger in Hartlepool’s win against Cheltenham last weekend forced him out of the squad. His fitness the League 2 meeting with Doncaster was also under threat, however Craig Hignett could have him fit after he trained today.
Carson will continue to be assessed by the medical staff for the remainder of the week before a decision is made with Hignett telling the Northern Echo.
‘His finger was in a bad way when he came off on Saturday. He has been and had treatment, has been away with Northern Ireland and come back. He has had a scan and he has no major damage. It is just a real sore one. We will have to see how it goes.’
Should Carson get the go ahead to feature there’s no certainty he’ll be the one Hignett selects for the match at Doncaster as Adam Bartlett came on for him in that win over Cheltenham making an ‘outstanding save’ when called upon.
Hignett said that was a ‘world class’ with Bartlett a more than able deputy for Carson but also a ‘keeper worthy of keeping his place at the Keepmoat Stadium on merit, adding.
‘Barts made an outstanding save. It was the only real save he had to make in the game. It was a world class save. I am confident, whether Trev makes it or not, that Barts is a keeper who can not only deputise but also keep his place.’
