Jordan Richards: Hartlepool defender to miss start of season

Jordan Richards made 41 appearances for Hartlepool United last season

Hartlepool United full-back Jordan Richards will miss the start of the season with a back injury that will rule him out for at least six weeks.

Scans revealed the 22-year-old suffered a fracture in his lumbar spine.

Head physio Ian Gallagher told the club's website: "We've caught the injury early enough that it is already starting to heal.

"We just have to allow it time to heal and that means Jordan won't be able to do a lot for the next six weeks."