Hartlepool United boss hails loan extension of Grimsby Town defender as he looks to add more to his squad
Pete Wild discusses the latest Hartlepool United transfer news.
Pete Wild believes the extension of Sam Lavelle’s loan from Grimsby for another month is ‘huge’ for Hartlepool United as they bid to move away from the National League drop zone.
The central defender was one of head coach Wild’s first signings after taking charge and he will now spend a further month at The Vic. The 30-year-old has made three appearances for Pools since signing against Hornchurch, Fylde and Boreham Wood. Pools boss Wild also signed attacking midfielder Jack Earing and defender Max Clark on short term deals - but Earing has since returned early injured.
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On Lavelle, Wild, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the visit of Wealdstone on Saturday in the National League, told the Mail: “Huge for us. I think he's been great and great for the defenders around him and he's been great for the team. He's a really good player. He's a League Two centre-half and he's come here to try and get himself going so, when the window opens in January, he's got offers because he's played football matches.
“So, we're really pleased he's extended and we're really thankful to Grimsby because I know they've had a couple of injuries, to allow him to stay with us.”
Wild added: “I think he's an integral part of what we do here. Him and Max Clark, character-wise, have been exactly what the group needed. I think they've helped the experienced lads coming into it. They're not battle-worn when they've come into the building. They're coming fresh-faced and they've been great additions to the squad. I know this league and I know the league above really well and I know the types of players that will help the building and them two certainly help the building.”
Wild wants to bring in two more players and had hoped to prior to the visit of Wealdstone but that remains reliant on members of his current playing squad departing to free up funds. Wild, when pressed on if he would say which positions he wanted to strengthen, added: “Not at the moment, no, but I want to try and freshen. There's one area of the pitch I think we're quite light in and that's the area I want to try and bolster.”
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