Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor on the challenge of trying to sign part-time players on loan

Pools swooped to sign Stockport County striker Richie Bennett ahead of the Easter weekend fixtures and he scored in the draw with Boreham Wood on Easter Monday.

There remains the scope for further loan signings before the end of the season, though Challinor has opened up on some of the challenges facing Pools.

Challinor and his coaching team have been assessing players across the National League North and South after the sixth tier campaign was declared null and void and ended back in February.

It isn’t always straightforward though given the majority of those players are part-time.

With Pools, second in the National League, chasing promotion, Challinor needs players who can make an immediate impact.

Challinor said: “It can be a problem, the short term is that you’ve got to make sure lads are up to speed and we’ve had a run of games where we haven’t really been training because it’s all been about getting through games and recovering.

"It’s changed to be honest, the majority of lads who are part-time are doing things away from football to keep fit but there are logistical problems within that.

"You’ve got to make sure the lads we bring in are ready to hit the ground running because it’s pointless us bringing a player in who is going to take a month to get up to speed because we don’t have enough time.

"We want people who will make a positive impact from the start,” added the Pools boss.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Hartlepool United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor