Hitman Sidelined For Eight Weeks?

Karl Hawley

Crocked goal ace Karl Hawley has been ruled out for nearly two months - and the Carlisle United top scorer could require an operation on his ankle injury. Manager Neil McDonald, who today brought Middlesbrough forward Danny Graham back for a second loan spell, confirmed that Hawley has damaged ankle ligaments and will miss most of the Blues' remaining League One games. The United boss - whose play-off chasing side face Cheltenham tomorrow - admitted that losing his 12-goal leading marksman was a "huge blow" :

"The scan has come back and Karl's going to be out for six to eight weeks," said McDonald of the injury that 25-year-old Hawley suffered in Tuesday's 0-0 draw against Chesterfield. "We'll find out on Monday when he sees the specialist whether he needs an operation to speed that up. He is a quick healer and hopefully he will be back before the end of the season."