Bridges was expected to return from a hamstring injury on Tuesday night

Carlisle United will assess the extent of injuries to Michael Bridges and Jeff Smith over the next few days after Tuesday's 2-2 draw with Hartlepool.

Striker Bridges was withdrawn before kick-off at Victoria Park with a back spasm while midfielder Smith has a groin injury.

"Michael has a problem and was hobbling around the dressing room," manager Greg Abbott told BBC Radio Cumbria.

"The news isn't brilliant on Jeff too so we're going to send him for a scan."

We aren't short of numbers up front because we have Gary Madine and Scott Dobie ready and willing to come in if required Carlisle boss Greg Abbott

Abbott said: "Michael would have been involved but he back spasmed when he got out of his car at the hotel.

"He was so looking forward to getting back involved. We're just hoping it's a 24-hour thing."

Abbott is refusing to be drawn on whether he will now make a move in the final week of the transfer window to cover Bridges' potential absence.

Smith will face a scan on his groin injury this week

Goals from Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Cleveland Taylor had given Carlisle a 2-0 half-time lead before the home side hit back through Andy Monkhouse and Joel Porter.

The result saw the Cumbrians drop one place to 16th in League One.

"We should be disappointed but I thought it was brilliant," Abbott said. "We gave away a sloppy goal at the end which was my only criticism but they gave it everything.

"It was a terrific game for everybody and we're really pleased that we've come to a difficult place and got another point on our travels."

Abbott also praised the performance of under-pressure goalkeeper Ben Williams who has been criticised this season for a number of costly errors.

"There is a bit of pressure on Ben," Abbott said. "We've not deflected it from him but we've shown confidence in him and he came up trumps.

"He had a terrific game and he dealt with it very well."

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