Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor doesn't rule out a new deal for former Middlesbrough midfielder Luke Williams

The 27-year-old midfielder is out of contract at Pools but has been with the side since the start of pre-season after being invited to train with the side in a bid to earn a contract.

Williams has been limited to three substitute appearances over the past two injury-plagued seasons at Pools. And with his professional career hanging in the balance, Hartlepool offered the former Middlesbrough man another lifeline.

No contract decision has been made so far but United manager Dave Challinor has said that Williams’ future at the club will be largely down to the player himself.

The midfielder hasn’t returned to full training and is currently working on his fitness with leading strength and conditioning coach Martin Nugent in an attempt to put himself into the first-team picture.

"Luke is still in and about with us but we’re really being led by him in terms of where we go from here,” Challinor told The Mail.

“He’s had his own programme to do, he’s been with Martin Nugent doing a strengthening thing which he’s been doing since the off season.

"We’re being led by him more than anything else and we haven’t made a decision yet."

After making back to back substitute appearances for Pools in November, Williams was then ruled out for the remainder of the 2019-20 campaign with a persistent hamstring injury.

But the shutdown of football due to the coronavirus pandemic and delayed restart of the new season until October 3 may have worked in Williams’ favour as he strives to get back playing.

“Luke is well of the understanding that he’s probably a little bit happier than most that the season has been delayed a little bit later," Challinor added.

“We’ll only make a decision on Luke when he fully trains and he knows that and we’re not going to force him into something.

"When he comes to us and says he’s ready to train fully and play then that’s when we’ll make a decision.”

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