Hartlepool United defender Joe Bunney 'considering offers' amid Football League interest with transfer window open

Joe Bunney could be on his way out of Hartlepool United as he looks to make a swift return to the Football League.
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The former Bolton Wanderers and Rochdale defender signed a short-term deal with Pools at the end of November last year. He has since featured five times at left-back for Dave Challinor’s side as they climbed up to second in the National League table.

The 27-year-old had been playing in the Northern Premier Premier Division with Matlock Town during the early part of the 2020-21 before arriving in the north east.

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But with the EFL transfer window open and Bunney not tied down at Hartlepool, manager Dave Challinor admitted there is interest in the 27-year-old.

Joe Bunney of Hartlepool United during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Kings Lynn Town at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Tuesday 8th December 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Joe Bunney of Hartlepool United during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Kings Lynn Town at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Tuesday 8th December 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Joe Bunney of Hartlepool United during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Kings Lynn Town at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Tuesday 8th December 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

"With Joe, we’re looking at it short term and he’s considering offers from elsewhere,” he told The Mail.

“The plan for him coming here was to get back to where he was at and get some games which worked well for him and worked well for us.

"His aim is to get back into the Football League and I know he’s had some interest. Coming into January, he’s got to look at where he’s at and we’ve got to look at where we’re at.

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"But there’s nothing agreed at the moment, he’s still here and if that’s the case in the next week or next two, three weeks then so be it."

After playing the full match for Pools in their 1-0 win at Notts County, Bunney was dropped from the matchday squad entirely for the weekend win over Wealdstone.

While Challinor has expressed his eagerness to tie down the likes of Jamie Sterry and Tyler Magloire for the rest of the season, the Pools boss appears more open regarding Bunney’s future at Victoria Park.

“He’s been important for us, he’s gone in and done a good job when called upon,” Challinor added.

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“It’s ultimately a progress thing for him because he wants to get back to where he spent most of his career in League One.

"So whether he’s here or somewhere else, he wants to get back to enjoying his football as he has been for the brief spell he’s been with us.”

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