Dave Challinor reveals latest as he looks to bring Macauley Southam-Hales back to Hartlepool United

The 24-year-old Welsh full-back enjoyed a successful loan stint at Victoria Park last season.

And Challinor is hoping to bring him back to the North East on loan but knows he will have to wait a little longer to secure a deal.

The defender plays for League One Fleetwood Town and Challinor knows Joey Barton will have to assess his squad and options first before allowing Southam-Hales back out on loan.

Challinor, though, believes the defender would be keen on a return, it it was possible.

Challinor told the Mail: “Macca, he’s still contracted at Fleetwood, we’ve had conversations but they need to work out their own circumstances with their squad before they look at loaning players out.

"If something can be arranged then great, I know Macca would love to come back and we’d love to have him back and it’s certainly something we’re trying to explore but nothing has happened yet and I don’t envisage anything will happen in the near future, we’ll probably have to be patient either way with that one.”

This weekend is expected to be a busy one for new signings with the club teasing August 1 as a significant date.

Timi Odusina, Gary Liddle and Mark Shelton are the first names expected to be through the door.

Pools returned to training last week ahead of the new National League season.

In addition to the eight contracted players, Aaron Cunningham and Joe Grey have been training with Liddle, Odusina and Shelton also believed to be getting involved with training.

Speaking earlier this week, Challinor said: "There has been quite a few training with us, I think it’s about 14 but I can’t say too much until we’re able to announce signings next week.

"In addition to the ones contracted from last season, we’ve got players in who we’ve done deals with which we’ll be able to announce further down the line but we can’t say anything at the moment because they’re still tied to other clubs contractually.”

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