Simon Power's injury a 'big blow' to Harrogate Town, but winger can come back stronger

The 22-year-old former Republic of Ireland youth international joined Harrogate Town from Norwich City in January and has been a regular starter since his arrival.

He is however now facing an extended period on the sidelines after pulling up in the latter stages of the first half of Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to Southend United.

A scan subsequently revealed that Power has damaged a hamstring, meaning that he will not be available for selection for any of Town’s nine remaining League Two fixtures, or their FA Trophy final clash with Concord Rangers at Wembley on May 3.

“It is a big blow for us, Simon has made a real impact on the side and on our upturn in fortunes since January,” boss Weaver said.

“He has started his Harrogate Town very well and we will miss that pace that he brings to the team.

“I feared the worst straight away on Saturday when he said that he’d felt the hamstring pop. I wasn’t expecting good news, but it’s still disappointing to see the results of the scan.

“It’s just as much of a blow for the lad himself though, but we will look after him – as we do all the players.”

Power has made 13 appearances for Town since signing for the club, delivering a number of effective performances from the right wing.

And Weaver believes that the pacy wideman will have benefited significantly from getting a taste of what the Football League is all about.

“It’s been well-documented that there are a lot of players in our squad with little or no prior experience of EFL football and obviously Simon is one of those,” the Sulphurites chief added.

“But he’s had a taste of it now and whether our lads have succeeded in games this season or failed, or done a bit of both they’ll be better off for the experiences of this year.

“I’m sure Simon, and all the other lads, will have learned a lot. Our job now is to take care of him over the summer and make sure that we get him right as rain for the start of next season.

“He’ll be raring to go and I’m sure he’ll come back flying.”

Josh McPake, the man who has been lining up on the opposite flank to Power, also had to be substituted against Southend, though Weaver has been given better news regarding the extent of the Glasgow Rangers loanee’s injury.

“Josh is okay. He will be absolutely fine for the Walsall game on Friday,” the Harrogate manager said.

“He has had a couple of issues with his ankles so he’s been given a strengthening programme that will hopefully help him in terms of coping with some of the difficult pitches we’re having to play on at the moment.”