Former Hartlepool United players Mark Shelton and Devante Rodney released by Salford City as interest ramps up

Mark Shelton (left) and Devante Rodney (right) are both available this summer.

Both players helped Salford earn promotion from the National League during the 2018-19 campaign but found game time hard to come by in League Two.

As a result, they dropped back into the National League for loan spells which would prove to be fairly successful.

Midfielder Shelton quickly became a fan favourite at Victoria Park with Hartlepool as he scored three goals in 14 matches on loan from the Ammies.

Meanwhile, former Pools forward Rodney had two separate spells at Stockport County and Halifax Town respectively – scoring seven goals in 20 National League matches over the course of the campaign.

Dave Challinor has been open in his desire to tie Shelton down to a permanent deal this summer. And a deal looks likely with Shelton reportedly making a verbal agreement with Pools towards the back end of the season.

When announcing their retained list this week, the club stated: “Gary Liddle, Mark Shelton, Timi Odusina, Macauley Southam-Hales and Rob Harker have all returned to their parent clubs, though positive conversations have taken place with all players and may return to Victoria Park in the future.”

Shelton has also previously mentioned his desire to stay at Victoria Park as he said back in February: “[Signing permanently] is something that’s been talked about and I would love to stay here.”

The release of last season's top scorer Gime Toure leaves Aidan Keena as the only senior striker contracted for next season at Hartlepool.

Challinor will be in the market for at least a couple of attacking players with a proven goalscorer high on the agenda.

So far, no interest has been shown in bringing Rodney back to The Vic.

The 21-year-old forward scored five goals in 48 games for Hartlepool before leaving for Salford in 2018.

Despite being unable to establish himself at the Peninsula Stadium, Rodney has proven himself as a useful striker in the National League and is believed to have attracted interest from ‘a good selection of clubs’.