ALEX Gilliead is a doubt for City’s trip to Hartlepool tomorrow night with an ankle injury.

The north-east native aggravated a problem in the warm-up before the win at Forest Green.

Mark Hughes said: “We’ve got a couple of concerns that might resolve themselves or not. But we’ve got good numbers now and if players miss out, we can fill the void.

“Alex has opened up his ankle joint. He’s probably been carrying it for a few weeks and got a bang on it just before the game.

“It’s a bit of concern but if he is to miss out, he should be okay for the weekend. It’s not a long-term thing.

“The group is getting bigger. It’s important that we do get those numbers.”

Matty Daly was not involved on Saturday and Hughes revealed that he has gone back to parent club Huddersfield to assess an injury he has picked up.

But Charles Vernam and Tom Elliott will soon be ready to return after joining in the full training session today.

Hughes added: “It’s the first time we’ve seen Tom out on the grass with the group and they both had a very good session.

“They are going to add to the squad, they are good players. I haven’t been able to get them involved in match time but they are very close to that now.

“They probably both need a week and a half to really get up to speed. Tom probably could get back quicker because he’s been out for less time.

“I’m excited by those two back because just in the training session today you could see the quality that they have.”