Alan Tate leaves but Carl Magnay ready to return for Hartlepool

The former Swansea City centre-half, who had played in all four divisions in England, ticked all the boxes in terms of know-how, leadership and experience.

He had trained with Pools over the last month and played in two reserve games, which he had strolled through. But the 33-year-old had not played a competitive game since leave the Premier League club in the summer and was short on match fitness and, crucially, pace.

“He has great experience but I was more concerned about mobility more than anything else,” admitted Moore.

“It’s all well and good having someone who can talk and direct things, but we don’t want to be getting caught with balls over the top.

“That was my feeling, I wasn’t too happy that we might have been found out pace-wise.

“Alan has had a tremendous career, but sometimes you have to look at the situation. Yes, he’s experienced but we can’t afford to be caught out by one ball over the top.

“I just felt we haven’t got that much pace at the back anyway so that’s the reason really.”

But while Tate had departed, Moore is relishing the return of midfielder/defender Carl Magnay, while he hopes on-loan Magnus Okuonghae will be fit against Leyton Orient a week tomorrow.

“Carl will be back next week after his six-game ban to give us a bit more depth and experience,” he said. “With Magnus we thought it was a metatarsal he’s got, but X-rays show it’s not – so we’re hopeful he’s OK for the Orient game.”