Hartlepool United confirm Luke Armstrong will remain at the club on loan from Salford City for the rest of the 2020-21 season

A season-long loan from Salford City was announced by Pools in December. But with the striker going on to score six goals in his first six National League matches for the club, there were some concerns that The Ammies could opt to recall the 24-year-old this month.

As previously reported in The Mail, the striker had already agreed to stay at Pools for the rest of the season when he first signed.

But due to a technicality, two separate loan agreements would have to be made – a short term loan until January and a half-season loan until the end of May.

And with Armstrong’s short-term loan expiring following Saturday’s win over Wealdstone, the half-season loan has automatically been triggered.

The striker is expected to start alongside Rhys Oates up front in Tuesday night’s National League match at Halifax Town, should the game go ahead.

“Luke is one where his deal was agreed in December as a loan until January but in reality it’s until the end of the season,” Challinor explained last week.

“Legally you’re not allowed to do a loan until the end of the season in December so we had to do it as a short term loan until January and then we’ll extend it until the end of the season.

"That’s how it will work and Luke wants to be with us and has committed to us until the end of the season and so have the two clubs.”

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