Dave Challinor hints at Chester return for new Hartlepool United signing Danny Elliott

With Chester s season over, the 25-year-old striker was released from his contract at The Deva Stadium and allowed to join Pools in the National League until the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

It’s a move that has helped Pools bolster their attacking line without having to worry about taking up another loan slot, of which six are already filled.

"We’re allowed five loan players in the matchday squad but we’ve got six in so we’ve had to look at different ways of doing things,” Challinor said ahead of the player registration deadline on Thursday night.

“The only way we get players in is if they’re good enough to cover the players that we’ve got that might have to be loans.

"We don’t want to be in a situation where we can’t fill our squad the way we want because we’re having to leave loan players out.

"We want to be able to pick the best squad to win the game and not be tied down by having to manage which loan players we pick."

Challinor thanked Chester joint-managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley for their help in allowing Elliott to join Pools but hinted that the striker may soon be back in the north west.

"Danny’s situation is he was essentially out of contract at Chester because of furlough,” the Pools boss added.

“Chester want to have him back next season and that’s still a viable option for them although he is putting himself a little bit in the shop window with us which isn’t ideal from Chester’s point of view.

"But there’s no reason why he can’t go back there next year just as there’s no reason why he can’t get a few goals for us and do his career a favour moving forward.

"I’ve spoke to Bernard at Chester and they’ve been great in recognising the situation and looking after the lad and knowing that he saw this as a good opportunity and not denied him that opportunity.

“It’s been really good and helps us by not adding to our loan list and Danny has been very enthusiastic and keen to impress.”

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