Hartlepool United agree deals in principle for Gary Liddle and Timi Odusina following Walsall and Norwich City releases

Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor and Gary Liddle embrace at the end of the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Stockport County at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Saturday 25th January 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

Liddle initially returned to Pools on loan from Walsall last December and was quick to establish himself in the heart of Dave Challinor’s defence.

The 34-year-old was in line to make his 300th appearance for the club before the season was shut down back in March.

20-year-old Odusina arrived from Premier League side Norwich City in January and went on to partner Liddle for the final eight matches of the campaign, helping the side keep four clean sheets in the process.

Timi Odusina of Hartlepool United during the Vanarama National League match between Barnet and Hartlepool United at The Hive, Edgware on Saturday 1st February 2020. (Credit: Jacques Feeney | MI News)

While it seems likely that the duo will return to Victoria Park ahead of the new season, both deals are subject to the club getting clarity on when National League football will resume.

“We’ve managed to get agreements in principle with Lidds and Timi so hopefully they will be coming back to the football club,” Challinor told The Mail.

“What people are doing at the moment is wondering when contracts might start and it’s a difficult one for us to commit to right now because we think we’re going to be starting in September but there’s no absolute confirmation on that.

“There is still a bit of uncertainty to sort out before we tie down the likes of Timi and Lidds but the deals are in place.

“With them and any lads who come in from Football League clubs, they can bide their time because they still get paid by their clubs through to July.”

Mark Kitching, Luke James, Josh Hawkes and Kenton Richarson are unlikely to return to Pools next season after Challinor prepares for a new-look squad.

“The squad will be quite different from last season but there’s not too much going on at the moment and I’m still comfortable with where we’re at,” he admitted.

“We’ve had some good recruitment meetings over zoom so things in the background have been going on in terms of putting budgets and targets together.

“Now we just need the all-clear to make those offers to players, when the contracts will start and get season tickets sold to bring income into the club.”