Hartlepool United ‘missed out on at least three’ transfer targets as Dave Challinor eyes reinforcements following Nicke Kabamba sale to Kilmarnock

Hartlepool United have missed out on ‘at least three’ potential striker signings as the search for attacking reinforcements continues.
Dave Challinor appeals to the referee before Luke Wilkinson is sent off during the FA Cup match between Yeovil Town and Hartlepool United at Huish Park, Yeovil on Tuesday 12th November 2019. (Credit: Gareth Williams)Dave Challinor appeals to the referee before Luke Wilkinson is sent off during the FA Cup match between Yeovil Town and Hartlepool United at Huish Park, Yeovil on Tuesday 12th November 2019. (Credit: Gareth Williams)
Dave Challinor appeals to the referee before Luke Wilkinson is sent off during the FA Cup match between Yeovil Town and Hartlepool United at Huish Park, Yeovil on Tuesday 12th November 2019. (Credit: Gareth Williams)

Nicke Kabamba’s transfer to Kilmarnock on Friday left Pools with new arrival Aidan Keena and returning loan forward Niko Muir as their only options up front going into Saturday’s trip to Yeovil Town.

Gime Toure is expected to return to the fray against Stockport County this weekend after serving his three game suspension.

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But United manager Dave Challinor is desperate to secure another forward after missing out on some key targets already.

“We’ve been looking to strengthen and it’s always been the plan to bring some bodies in,” he said.

“We’ve missed out on at least three that we would have hoped to have in now but for one reason or another and some of the reasons can be anything but we’ve got more than a few irons in the fire.

“We’re having to be a little bit patient, I’d love to say I’m going to have someone in by next week. I don’t know if that will be the case but I really hope it will.

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“Again, it’s important that we get the right ones in and if possible we can get the right ones in that will serve us next season as well and tick off a job for the summer.”

Regarding whether further loan signings are still in the pipeline, Challinor added: “If it needs to be something short term then we’ll look at that as well.

“The next few weeks will dictate that because we want to make sure we’re still in with a shout and if we’ve still got things to achieve this year then someone coming in short term to help us will be massively beneficial.

“We had hoped to try and bring someone in with an eye on next year as well which would make my job easier through the summer.

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“Our preference is to get someone who can serve us for next year as well to stop us being involved in a rat race in the summer.

“But the reality of that happening due to players being contracted until the end of the season isn’t massively in the positive.”