Dave Challinor addresses whether these THREE players have a future at Hartlepool United

Niko Muir and Aaron Cunningham are out on loan at sixth tier sides Hampton and Richmond Borough and Blyth Spartans respectively until the end of the season.

Veteran midfielder Jason Kennedy is getting some much-needed game time with a one month loan at Spennymoor Town which could be extended further.

The trio haven’t been able to force their way into the starting line-up since Challinor took over back in November with only Cunningham suffering any real injury issues during that time.

All three players’ contracts are up in the summer and when asked if they have a future at Victoria Park, Challinor responded: “Yeah, they’re all different circumstances.

“Neeks hasn’t had a lot of football and him being from down south, it made sense for him to go there and get some games.

“Hopefully it works both ways, if he goes there and scores a bag full of goals, then we have a decision to make and he has to make about where he is.

“Aaron hasn’t played a lot and it was absolutely essential that he got out and played at least a month of football because since I’ve been here we haven’t seen a lot of him.

“Injuries have been an issue for him since he’s been here so he just needs to get out and play regularly.

“While he’s doing that, we can have a look at him and see where he’s at.

“JK is an easy one in terms of him needing to get some football but if I’m looking at the character and personality of players who you want at your football club he’ll definitely be one because of how he is, day in, day out and how he trains.

“Loans work for everyone because if some of the lads’ futures are away from here then it gives them the chance to stick themselves in the shop window and potentially earn themselves something for next year.

“If players can go out on loan and get some security then great.”