Cameron on the mend but won't play this season

After the 18-year-old ruptured a cruciate ligament on international duty with New Zealand last November, there was an outside chance of the winger returning to action for the end of the season.

However, he said: “The recovery’s going really well. I’ll be starting straight-line running on Monday.

“Phil Horner (physio) has stressed how important it is to keep things normal and the lads have been really supportive. I should be back training in July and hopefully playing in August or September if everything goes to plan.”

While Cameron has spent much of his recovery time away from the first-team squad, manager Neil McDonald has tried to keep in touch with the youngster.

Cameron was pictured in The Gazette in January cycling on Blackpool Promenade and McDonald revealed: “I went for a bike ride with Henry recently and he’s in good spirits.

“Sometimes you get lonely training on your own, but he’s in a good place and is coming along well. I managed to keep up with him for about 200 yards, then he shot off!

“I try to spend some time with the injured lads as well as the fully fit ones.”

Cameron suffered the knee injured just 42 minutes into his New Zealand debut in a friendly against Oman, though he doesn’t regret the trip. He explained: “It was a really proud moment for me and my mum to represent them. It was an easy decision.

“The World Cup qualifiers start next season. We’ve not got an easy route but we should qualify.”

Before the injury, Cameron had made 16 appearances for Pool in his first full season as a professional.

He broke into the first-team last season, while still on a youth contract, and he’s now looking forward to getting his career back on track.

He said: “I thought I had a good first half to the season, so it’s not all doom and gloom. I just need to crack on next season.

“I thought I was making good progress because I was in the team most weeks.

“It’s been frustrating to be out but I’ve got to look forward to next season now.”