Former Sheffield Wednesday and Southampton striker Watson is rebuilding his career at Hartlepool after it was almost ended by a horrific injury while at Bradford City.

Watson successfully sued then Huddersfield defender Kevin Gray for the tackle which caused a double fracture to his right leg.

Hartlepool boss Chris Turner said: "He said he heard the crack when he went down, which is always a bad sign."

"He will be out for six to seven weeks, which is obviously a blow.

"On the positive side, it is not the leg he broke a few years ago, which would have been really serious.

"He will see the country's leading specialist in leg injuries on Monday and will receive the best possible treatment," Turner told Hartlepool's official website.

After a lengthy spell out of the game recuperating from his career-threatening injury, Watson joined Hartlepool.

He scored 18 goals last season to help them reach the play-offs for the third successive season.

The 31-year-old former Southampton striker still lives on the south coast and trains during the week with Portsmouth, before joining up with his team-mates for matches.

He signed a one-year contract with 'Pool in May and his five goals this season has helped them to the top of Division Three.