Dave Challinor on why versatility is key at Hartlepool United

The Pools boss has enjoyed a busy week with a raft of new signings arriving through the doors at Victoria Park.

Eight players have signed permanent deals this week, with Aaron Cunningham also signing a new deal, to give Challinor a squad of 16 players currently.

David Ferguson and Mason Bloomfield followed Mark Shelton, Timi Odusina, Gary Liddle, Rhys Oates, Josh MacDonald and Claudio Ofosu into the club ahead of the new season, set to start in early October.

And while the arrival of more permanent signings is likely to cool off for the time being, Challinor has stressed the key ingredient in any signings this summer is versatility with many of the new faces able to play in a couple of positions.

Challinor told the Mail: “Absolutely, versatile players will be essential.

"It was always going to be impossible for us to sign players who are one-trick ponies if you like where they can only be effective in one role.

"The players we’ve brought can fill a squad and do a job for us in at least a couple of positions, it makes sense for us to do that because it will work out better for us.

"We’re certainly not in a position where we can carry two players for each position and have two out-and-out left-backs.

"We need to tick as many boxes as we can with as few players as we can without detracting from the quality that we need to compete.”

Challinor is looking to run with a senior squad of no more than 20 this season and will now cast his eye towards the loan market with Macauley Southam-Hales a top target.

The Fleetwood Town full-back enjoyed a successful loan spell at Pools last season and both manager and player are keen on him returning to the North East ahead of the new campaign.

Pools will have to be patient in their pursuit of loan targets as clubs assess their options.

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