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Hartlepool youngster Jordan Richards will miss the rest of the season after being told he needs surgery to repair damaged knee cartilage.

The defender, 19, had hoped he could avoid surgery until the summer.

"Unfortunately the symptoms have become so bad that we have no other option but to have the surgery done now," physio Ian Gallagher told

"The recovery period is around three months so hopefully Jordan will be ready to go for pre-season."