Dave Challinor discusses Hartlepool United transfer business and looking to extend Mark Shelton's loan from Salford City

Following Mark Shelton's match winning display on Tuesday night, Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor has stressed his desire to keep the midfielder at the club.
Mark Shelton of Hartlepool United battles for possession with Lewis Hardcastle of Barrow during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Barrow at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Saturday 28th December 2019. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Mark Shelton of Hartlepool United battles for possession with Lewis Hardcastle of Barrow during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Barrow at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Saturday 28th December 2019. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Mark Shelton of Hartlepool United battles for possession with Lewis Hardcastle of Barrow during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Barrow at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Saturday 28th December 2019. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

Shelton is currently on loan from League Two side Salford City until January 18th which means he’ll be available for the upcoming matches against Dover Athletic and Yeovil Town before returning to his parent club.

That is unless Pools can arrange a deal to extend the 23-year-old’s stay at Victoria Park and that is something that both the player and Challinor are keen on pursuing.

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“Shelts has done really well and had a bad injury at Salford which set him back a little bit,” said the Hartlepool manager.

“He’s someone hopefully we can keep here longer than this month, there has been positive talks with Salford on that.

“I think once he’s properly fit then he’s the type of midfielder in terms of his ability to go box to box, get on the ball and score goals, he can definitely do that and I think he can be an important player for us and one I’d like to have here longer term.

“There are conversations that have been had regarding Shelts’ position, with Lidds [Gary Liddle] and seeing what their clubs are thinking.

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“Tyler’s loan has obviously been extended but we can only have five.

“We hoped to have at least a couple of bodies in before the weekend and it’s more imperative that we do that now even though the positions we’re now looking at may change slightly.

“We need to look at where we can strengthen so if that means bringing in some defensive cover then so be it.

“I’m looking in forward areas to try and bring some bodies in. Whether that will be before the weekend, I’m unsure.

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“There’s probably more players available to us now in terms of Football League teams letting players out.

“But they’re still wary of letting players drop to our level because they don’t want to let them go too early in case a League Two club is interested, so as much as they say a player is available, they’re not completely available until other options have been turned down.”