Could Luke James be set for Hartlepool United return?

James left Pools in the summer of 2014 in a big-money move to League One Peterborough United.

But his big move hasn't worked out, with the 21-year-old scoring just twice in 34 appearances for Posh before being shipped out to Bradford City on a season-long loan.

James is yet to score for Bradford, with no goals in 15 appearances this season but he showed his potential in his Pools days, netting 16 goals in the 2013-14 season.

SportMail understands Posh don't have a recall option but his loan spell at Bradford looks to be coming to a premature end anyway, with Bradford boss Phil Parkinson reshaping his squad in the January transfer window.

Two clubs in League Two are understood to be keen to take James on loan for the rest of the season.

And Pools have been linked with a move for their former striker, with Ronnie Moore looking to bolster his attacking options this month.

His Pools departure left a sour taste in the mouths of supporters after the striker handed in two transfer requests and then failed to turn up to training at Maiden Castle for three consecutive days before the summer-long saga finally came to an end on a dramatic deadline day.

James, who played at Pools under former manager Colin Cooper, joined Posh on a four-year deal for a fee of around £500,000 plus add-ons.

His long-term future lies at Peterborough though, with Posh chairman Darragh MacAnthony taking to Twitter this week to confirm he sees James staying at London Road.

In response to a fan's question over whether he has a future at Posh, MacAnthony tweeted: "Yes I'm confident of it next season for sure. Luke still a baby & we have him long term."