Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor discusses productive transfer meeting with chairman Raj Singh

The United manager is currently assessing his squad as he prepares to make decisions regarding who to keep and release come the end of the season.

But with 16 matches remaining, there is still plenty of work to do this season as Pools look to mount and sustain a potential play-off push.

Over the past week, Challinor has met with the club’s hierarchy in an attempt to put a structure and strategy in place moving forward.

“We had a really good meeting, we need to look at recruitment strategies and what we need to do so it was all about having a plan in place when it comes to the short term, medium term and long term,” said the Hartlepool boss.

“That’s something that has not been followed up in the past and what we have in the summer is an awful lot of players out of contract.

“Over the next few months we’ve got to speak to and tie down players who are currently here that we want to try and keep and ultimately look at where we can potentially strengthen.

“I suppose, as much as we’ve got a big job in the summer in terms of what we bring in and how we change things.

“We’ve got to try and get as much of that work in place now and try to tick some boxes so that it’s not a complete and sudden turnaround of the squad.

“There are different objectives, currently we’re being pretty reactive to things that might happen and the injury issues we’re having.

“It’s about having a plan in place and speaking to scouts, agents and seeing what profile of players we’re looking for in the summer that can take us forward and improve us.”

In the short term movements, Gary Liddle’s loan could be extended in the coming weeks following positive initial talks with his parent club Walsall.

Challinor added: “If we can keep him then brilliant but that’s up to Walsall and the initial talks with them have been positive.”