Magpies boss Andy Preece is hopeful striker Kole Hall could return soon
Chorley boss Andy Preece is keeping his fingers crossed that striker Kole Hall could be back to full health and fitness soon.
The Bermuda international has not played a single minute this season due to a serious and unspecified health condition.
The Magpies set up a GoFundMe page, which has raised more than £10,000, to assist with the 27-year-old’s medical costs.
While Hall’s health is first and foremost the biggest concern for Preece and everybody else connected with the club, his presence on the pitch has been sorely missed during a run of results which has garnered just one win in 12 games in all competitions.
Last season, he was the leader of the attack, scoring 12 goals and Preece admits it will be a huge boost when Hall returns.
"Kole is just waiting on his results now,” Preece told Chorley FC TV. "If those come back positive and everything is good, he could be back with us within the next month which would be such a boost for us.
"That would take a bit of pressure off Sampo (Jack Sampson) , Harry (Ibbitson) and Tom (Carr)."
After failing to win in their 10 previous fixtures, the Magpies finally earned three points on Saturday when they defeated Bedford Town 1-0 at Victory Park.
They then followed that up with with a point in a 0-0 draw at home to Spennymoor Town.
Remarkably, Chorley are still only three points outside the play-offs in the national League North – such was their strong start to the season – with a trip to Kidderminster Harriers to come this weekend.
“I have always said that if you’re within six to eight points of the play-offs with 10 games to go, you’ve got a chance,” said Preece. "We are only four points off fourth place as it stands.”