Porter Worry For Gold Coast

as seen on au.fourfourtwo.com

Gold Coast United target Joel Porter will be out for weeks after his English club revealed the Australian is battling a painful Achilles problem that has left him unable to train.

Porter, who has scored 13 goals in all competitions for League One Hartlepool United this season, has been heavily linked with a deal with the new A-League franchise on the Gold Coast.

But his fantastic season may have hit a wall after the hitman was forced out of training since New Year aftr suffering tendinitis in his Achilles tendon.

"Since we've played Stoke (on January 3) Joel's not trained which is quite a concern," Hartlepool manager Chris Turner told BBC Tees.

"It's an injury that needs rest. The more you work them the worse they get. The physios are doing their best."

The 30-year-old Australian may now be facing an extended stay on the sidelines as battles back to full fitness again.

Porter's importance to the Hartlepool side has already been noticed, after he missed the 2-1 loss at Oldham on Monday. After the match, Turner bemoaned Hartlepool's lack of firepower in the absence of Australian.

And while Hartlepool may rue Porter's absence, the Australian's injury problem will also concern those at Skilled Park where he seems certainly destined next season.