Dave Challinor discusses incomings and outgoings at Hartlepool United with Newcastle United youngster Lewis Cass set to sign and former Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United target Brad Young available for loan

The loan signing of 20-year-old Newcastle United defender Lewis Cass is expected to be completed on Thursday and announced in time for the youngster to be named in the matchday squad for this weekend’s match at Victoria Park.

Pools had been hoping to complete Cass’ loan move last week but the uncertainty over the start of the National League season has caused a delay in getting the deal over the line.

But with a Government financial package all but secured, the deal is now set to go ahead as planned.

And that might not be all as Challinor hinted at another potential arrival.

“There will be hopefully more coming in," he told The Mail.

“Without saying too much, things will get done today and we’ll have a couple more through the door."

Keen to keep his squad size below 20, the Pools boss suggested players may also be leaving on loan.

“That doesn’t mean there won’t be outgoings, there are things that have to happen at a football club around our medium-term strategy,” Challinor continued.

“So there are players at the club who we see as first-team players maybe next season so it’s important we do the right thing by them and the right thing by the club to get them playing games so they get the point where they’re truly totally confident that they can be a first-team player in the National League.

"There will be some ins but potentially some outs as well. We want to carry a small but competitive squad and if a player isn’t in the 16 then there are not six players still ahead of them before they’re able to get into it.

"With that, we need to look after the players and make sure everyone is fit and available to train.”

Youngsters such as Joe Grey, Brad Young and Aaron Cunningham could be in line for loan moves, but only if it benefits all parties.

Cunningham and Young both spent time out on loan last season at Blyth Spartans and Billingham Town respectively.

And speaking of another potential loan move for goalkeeper Young, Challinor said: “Brad is one who falls into that bracket and it’s important to him and us to look after his development.

"He’s one of a number of players who we need to try and get 40 games into if we can. It’ll be a huge step for him as a young goalkeeper and hopefully, we can get him a move that will be as close to National League level as we can get.

"We’ll look at each loan and judge it on its merits and we’ll be able to say more when we know what’s happening. We’re not in a massive rush to get players out but we do need to look more toward the medium and long term prospects.”

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