25 players Pools could consider signing this summer:
21. Harry Chapman
Perennially linked with a move to Pools, this could finally be the summer Chapman returns to the town where he was born. A technician with bagfuls of quality, he could be the man to replace the creativity previously supplied by the departing Cooke. The 26-year-old has already had nine different clubs in his career and has struggled to make as much of an impact as he might have liked since moving to Braford, where he was limited to 15 League Two appearances last season. A move back home and a chance to be one of the main men in the Pools midfield could well appeal to Chapman, who is more than capable of keeping Mani D and Joe Grey well-supplied next term. Photo: Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
22. Charlie Wakefield
Pools will need to add some width to their squad this summer and Wakefield is a winger new manager Darren Sarll knows well. The pair worked together at Yeovil before Sarll signed him for Woking. The former England under-17 international, who turned 26 last month, didn't have the best of campaigns last term and the Cards shipped him out on loan to Braintree before releasing him at the end of the season. The chance to reunite with his former boss could help Wakefield get his career back on track. Photo: Frank Reid
23. Kai Nugent
Another option on the flank, the 19-year-old is available following his release by Carlisle. The diminutive wideman will have benefitted from his first taste of senior football while on loan at Annan Athletic, where he was a regular and bagged three goals. Still has plenty of development to do but has lots of potential and, given he's a free agent and is unlikely to demand an excessive wage, a deal could prove good business in the future. Photo: Frank Reid
24. Paul Blackett
Pools will be looking for at least one striker to provide competition for Mani Dieseruvwe and Joe Grey after both Josh Umerah and Chris Wreh were released. Blackett has been banging them in for South Shields this season, finishing the campaign as the National League North's top scorer after bagging 29 goals in 44 appearances. Blackett, who spent time in the academies of Newcastle and Sheffield United, hit double figures for Gateshead when the Heed won promotion to the National League in the 2021/22 season. Lethal in the box and a proven goalscorer, the challenge for the 26-year-old will be making the step up to the National League. Photo: Kev Wilson