Contract offers, National League play-off challenges, squad size and loan signings – what we know about Dave Challinor's plans for next season at Hartlepool United

Pools play-off challenge has teetered between unlikely and plausible since the turn of the year as manager Dave Challinor has implemented his philosophy.

Some players have adapted well to the change in style while others haven’t had a chance to during matches given the fairly consistent team selections from the Pools boss.

Since last summer, the strength of Hartlepool’s squad hasn’t been called into question. They have a competitive group of players who are more than capable of challenging in the National League – the play-offs a realistic pre-season target.

But when it comes to their mentality, focus and consistency, the squad have fallen slightly short on the whole.

Now Challinor and his players have nine games to ensure that this season doesn’t become one of unfulfilled potential.

Encouragingly, the former AFC Fylde manager has helped turn things around and helped establish the foundations for Pools to be a force in the fifth tier.

Life has been breathed into a season that looked to be floundering towards midtable mediocrity once again.

United could make the top seven or they may still fall short come the end of April – it will be a shame, a season of what-ifs? But at the same time, the positive steps forward Pools have been able to make over the past couple of months will be a source of positivity going into the 2020-21 campaign.

Pools haven’t finished in the top half of any division since they were promoted from League Two back in 2007. To say it’s been nothing but disappointment since then would be an understatement.

This season, they still have a chance to do something special while also laying the foundations to be a real force in 2020-21.

No team who has sacked a manager during a National League season has gone on to win promotion. Challinor may not buck that trend – but given his impact so far – it’s exciting to think what could be possible if he was given a full summer to prepare.

Away from the pitch, the Pools manager is looking to assemble his squad for next season with all but five players out of contract in the summer.

This season, Hartlepool have operated with a large squad of 31 players including youngsters and those out on loan.

In terms of a current playing squad, omitting any players unavailable for selection, Pools have 18 senior players including five loanees.

Challinor plans on streamlining Pools’ squad in the summer to around 17 or 18 contracted players boosted by loans where necessary.

With plenty to consider in regards to budgets, contracts and even potentially what division the side will be playing in – some tough decisions will need to be made.

As we’ve seen previously, a lot can be achieved with a small squad if you recruit efficiently and effectively.

Challinor has done just that this season when it comes to the loan market. The temporary signings of Mark Shelton and Gary Liddle have proven to be particularly successful and there are talks to try and tie the pair down to a permanent deal at Pools once their contracts at their parent clubs expire in the summer.

Macauley Southam-Hales, Timi Odusina and Rob Harker also look to be solid loan additions.

Temporary signings can prove very useful in the National League as they often allow clubs to bring in quality players for a fraction of the cost of signing them permanently.

If Challinor is looking at operating with a squad of around 18 contracted senior players next season – we can gauge how business could be done when looking at the set-up as it stands.

Ryan Donaldson, Ben Killip, Luke Molyneux, Gus Mafuta and Aidan Keena are believed to be the only five senior players currently contracted for next season.

Talks are progressing regarding new deals for those out of contract in the summer. Challinor has already stated his intention to tie down players such as Nicky Featherstone, Mark Kitching, Gavan Holohan and Luke James.

Some of the squad’s younger players like Josh Hawkes, Kenton Richardson and Aaron Cunningham are also likely to be offered new deals.

Assuming Pools can sign Shelton and Liddle permanently and none of the aforementioned players leave, Challinor will have a squad of 14. That leaves room for around four further permanent signings to keep his ideal squad size.

Defenders Fraser Kerr, Michael Raynes and Myles Anderson have been unable to impact Pools’ play-off charge significantly so far.

It’s unlikely all three will be remaining at the club beyond the current season with Kerr attracting initial interest from York City.

Top scorer Gime Toure is believed to have Football League interest so is unlikely to hang around at Victoria Park unless Pools earn promotion.

Out on loan pair, Jason Kennedy and Niko Muir haven’t started since Challinor took charge and are unlikely to return next season. Adam Bale hasn’t been given a sniff since he joined from Sunderland last season.

Mitchell Beeney hasn’t signed the contract offered to him and Luke Williams’ injury record will likely prevent him from being handed another deal.

Of course, there will be plenty of twists and turns when it comes to assembling a squad for next season.

But what is clear is that Challinor has options to give Pools the best chance they’ve had of making a Football League return.