Dan Jones is latest through Pools exit door

The 21-year-old, who played in the 5-0 drubbing at Plymouth Argyle at the weekend, was out of contract this summer.

He becomes the seventh player to leave Pools in recent weeks, with centre-back Scott Harrison and striker Scott Fenwick the biggest casualties.

Jones arrived at The Vic in 2011 and won a professional deal two years later, making a total of 41 appearances for the club.

His longest spell in the first team was under former boss Ronnie Moore, with the left-back playing an important role in last season’s Great Escape.

But he has failed to hold down a regular spot under Hignett, with Jake Carroll ahead of him in the pecking order.

Jones - who made 28 appearances last season - featured in just 12 games this season, his last coming in the humiliating defeat at Home Park.

A Pools statement read: “Everyone at Hartlepool United would like to thank Dan for his service to the Club and wish him every success for the future.

“Discussions remain ongoing with other first team players and more information will be made available in due course.”

Other players released by Pools include young goalkeeper Peter Denton, Fenwick and Harrison plus fringe players Ebby Nelson-Addy, Kudus Oyenuga and Harry Worley.

More could yet depart Clarence Road, with Hignett still in discussions with Rakish Bingham, Michael Duckworth, Rob Jones and Michael Woods.

Hignett was left fuming by the end of season performance against a below-strength Plymouth and pledged to make big changes this summer.

“It’s changed my plans for the summer – from thinking I needed three or four, now it’s seven or eight.

“That’s for me to try to sort out.”

Pools had begun their contract work last month, tying keepers Trevor Carson and Adam Bartlett to new deals, along with defender Josh Nearney and midfielder Lewis Hawkins.

Key midfielder Nicky Featherstone has also put pen to paper.