Dave Challinor explains Luke Williams' contract at Hartlepool United and what his plans are with the former Middlesbrough and Scunthorpe United midfielder

The 27-year-old is still yet to start a competitive game since arriving back at Victoria Park in the summer of 2018.

A series of injury issues and set-backs have prevented Williams from making an impact at Pools so far but after the midfielder proved his fitness during pre-season, the club handed him another chance to reignite his career with a new season-long contract.

Last season, Williams was on a low basic wage which was heavily subsidised by appearances, though he made only three from the bench.

After being an unused substitute in each of Pools’ last two matches, Williams is still awaiting his first competitive appearance since agreeing a new deal at the club last month.

And manager Dave Challinor has explained the details of the midfielder’s new deal at the club.

"Luke’s contract last season was heavily weighted around appearances which was down to him really and it’s the same again,” Challinor told The Mail.

“He had options to go and do what he wanted but he’s really motivated to repay the faith the club has shown in him and the work we’ve done with him.

"The contract he’s signed is all around him playing games and he knows that. He’s been brilliant and as disappointed as people might be with him getting injuries, that’s ultimately part of football.

“In terms of him as an individual, he’s been brilliant and this deal he’s signed is all about him playing football and wanting to play football for Hartlepool United.”

With Williams not completing a full 90-minutes of competitive football since March 2017, Challinor was contemplating loaning the midfielder out to get him match fit and ready to play for Pools in the National League.

But with just 17 fit senior outfield players in the squad, the Pools boss is keeping the former Middlesbrough man at Victoria Park for the time being as the side prepare for a return to National League action at Eastleigh this weekend.

Williams is expected to travel with the squad on Friday and is likely to be named on the bench once again as the side look to get back to winning ways against a side who currently sit level on points with them in the table.

“We’ve got to recognise what’s best for the player and the club further down the line but we’ve also got to look in the present and at the moment we’re short of numbers,” Challinor added when discussing a potential short-term loan move for Williams.

“Aaron Cunningham is a prime example because we needed to get him out on loan but had we not, he would have probably started at Salford and had the opportunity.

“It’s difficult at the moment, hindsight is a great thing. We didn’t envisage losing two centre-halves so quickly through injury.

"Luke’s situation is a little bit different because he’s an attacking player who can get between the lines, see a pass and score a goal. It’s a shame that he’s not a centre-half at the moment because we’ve got options in attack.”

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