Dave Challinor eyes more signings as Hartlepool United boss provides transfer update ahead of Notts County clash

National League clubs have until April 22 to make more additions to their squads, yet signing players at a late stage in the season poses challenges.

Pools were able to sign towering frontman Richie Bennett from National League rivals Stockport last week, and the 30-year-old scored his first goal for the club during a 2-2 draw at Boreham Wood.

Challinor is also looking to bolster his options in other areas and is assessing the club’s goalkeeper situation after Ben Killip suffered ligament damage in his elbow.

When asked by the Mail if he’s expecting any more signings before the end of the season, Challinor said: “We certainly need some cover, we’ll obviously need to make a decision about the goalkeeper following the news we had with Ben on Tuesday.

“Ideally we will need some cover short term or maybe longer term on that left side defensively, whether it’s a left-side centre-back, left-back, left wing-back and we’ll continue to look and try to pick the right option.

“The difficulty at the moment is that most of the teams in most of the leagues have got something to play for, be that trying to get in the play-off positions, be that trying to stay up.

“It’s not a hugely fruitful time in terms of trying to get loans from football league clubs but we’ll continue to sort of go through lists speak to people and see what’s available for us.”

With Pools preparing to face promotion rivals Notts County this weekend, Challinor hopes something may be possible next week on the transfer front.

“There certainly won’t be anything before the weekend,” the Pools boss added.

“Obviously we have a free week next week so in terms of what we do we’ll see where we’re at.

“We may have something done by next weekend but we’re not in a massive rush, we’re not in a desperation to have to do anything.

“This will just be to give us as much cover as we can and tick boxes and try to cover all eventualities.”

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