Hartlepool United lining-up new signings with Timi Odusina, Gary Liddle and Mark Shelton set to be announced next month following releases from Norwich City, Walsall and Salford City

It's been a month since Pools agreed permanent deals in principle for Gary Liddle and Timi Odusina following their respective loan spells at Victoria Park last season.

Midfielder Mark Shelton also looks set to sign following his release from Salford City in the summer. The 23-year-old verbally agreed to sign for Hartlepool prior to the coronavirus pandemic and an agreement is now believed to have been reached following an uncertain period.

Forward Luke James and left-back Mark Kitching have also left to join Barrow and Stockport County respectively over the past week.

Replacements for both are currently being assessed and discussions with Rhys Oates over a potential return to The Vic are believed to have taken place following his release from Morecambe.

A shortlist of potential left-backs has also been drawn up which includes familiar target Scott Barrow following his release from National League North play-off hopefuls Gateshead.

Defender Aaron Cunningham has also agreed a deal in principle to re-sign for Pools for the coming season which could potentially take the squad size to 12 in the coming weeks.

Manager Dave Challinor hasn’t been able to announce any new contracts or signings so far this summer but is preparing for a busy August in preparation for the 2020-21 National League season.

Pre-season will be allowed to start and friendlies can take place behind closed doors with the view of the competitive season resuming with fans in autumn.

On Tuesday evening, Hartlepool dropped a hint that August 1 could be a significant date via its Twitter account.

The club’s ambiguous message didn’t confirm what would be announced at the start of next month although Challinor is expecting to be given the green light to allow deals to be confirmed at around the same.

“We know where the budget is and what we’re able to spend but what people have been doing is looking at when contracts might start,” Challinor told The Mail.

"It gas been difficult for us to commit to contract dates because there is still no absolute confirmation on the start date for the new season even though it’s looking likely to be around September.

"When it comes to tying down and announcing the likes of Timi, Lidds and any lads who come in from Football League clubs, it’s different because they still get paid by their clubs until the end of July. So anything with those players would start from August

“It’s different with players you’re re-signing or players you’re looking to sign and who are out of contract and they’re non-league players, not getting anything from their clubs.

"We certainly haven’t been in a position to offer players full contracts from June or July as would usually be the case because we didn’t know how and when we would get back to playing again, but things are slowly becoming clearer now.”

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