Hartlepool United boss reveals loan transfer stance despite success of MK Dons midfielder

The Hartlepool United boss has already made a move when it comes to player recruitment with the permanent transfers of goalkeeper Joel Dixon and defender Kieran Burton.

Dixon arrived on a free following his Bolton Wanderers release while Hartlepool reached a compensatory fee with Scarborough Athletic for Burton's signature having scouted the young defender a number of times.

The Hartlepool boss had suggested at the end of the League Two season there would not be a huge overhaul at the Suit Direct Stadium this summer but there is still likely to be a number of new arrivals.

And most of those new arrivals are expected to be on permanent deals after Askey relayed his feelings towards signing players on loan.

"I don’t like too many loan players to be honest,” said Askey.

"With loan players it can become difficult where you get into a situation whereby they might do well initially, and then they’ve served their purposes, so they’ve gotten out of it what they wanted to get out of it.

"Occasionally, you get the odd loan player coming in and they do well for the season but what you have to be careful of is having too many who haven’t got that feel for the club, and where things are not going quite right at a certain point, then all of a sudden they’re thinking ‘I’m not going to be here.’

"In the past I’ve had players come in and have been lucky enough where clubs have allowed players to train with us first before we take them if they haven’t been out on loan before."

Askey had to manage a number of loan players following his appointment as manager back in February with the likes of Jakub Stolarczyk, Taylor Foran, Tayt Trusty, Dan Kemp and striker Jack Hamilton all forming part of Hartlepool’s squad in League Two.

Of those loans it was MK Dons midfielder Kemp who starred with nine goals to his name in just 16 appearances for the club.

"What he’s done is excellent,” Askey said of Kemp ahead of his exit.

"He was a big reason why we got some of the results that we got. He’s been honest and he’s probably played in one or two games where he perhaps shouldn’t have played with his ankle.

"Dan has got a good attitude to football. He’ll go back to MK Dons and I’m sure he’ll kick on and go on to have a good career.”

And when it comes to the possibility of Askey looking for loan deals this summer, he will be hoping it is for players who already have plenty of experience in senior football – much like Kemp.

"It depends on the relationships you have with the clubs,” said Askey.

"Ideally, if we do take a loan on, then they’ve been at a previous club out on loan and then you know exactly what you’re getting because watching the under-23s football, it’s very difficult to take a player out of that and know how they’re going to be when they come and play for you in whatever league.”

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