Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor discusses loan situation as he targets another striker

Hartlepool United's Mark Shelton celebrates after scoring their second goal during the Vanarama National League match between Hartlepool United and Stockport County at Victoria Park, Hartlepool on Saturday 25th January 2020. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

Pools are only able to select five loan players as part of their matchday squad in the National League.

Challinor named four loan players in his starting line-up against Stockport County on Saturday with three of those being defenders and the other being goalscorer Mark Shelton.

Tyler Hamilton was the only loanee not to feature in Saturday’s 2-0 win as he’s sat out the last two through injury. The 21-year-old winger’s deal from Hull City ends next month and isn’t expected to be extended at this stage.

While Hartlepool are still able to sign players on loan, there may be some reluctance for clubs to do business with them due to their abundance of temporary recruits.

“We can’t pick any more loans in terms of our matchday squad,” Challinor said.

“Tyler’s ends at the start of February so we’ll have to where we are with that but it’s not hidden in the fact that I’d like to try and bring another forward in if we can.

“If that’s a forward we can bring in permanently then that works for us but if it’s not and it’s a loan then we have to look at where we are.

“You’re constantly looking at those, we’ve got four season long loans with Lidds [Gary Liddle], Shelts, Macca [Southam-Hales] and Timi [Odusina] who will hopefully continue to have a big impact. Then we need to be reactive in terms of who else we bring in.”