Hartlepool United head coach Lee Clark has made a bold admission over his squad following their pre-season friendly win at Spennymoor Town.

Hartlepool United players are causing major problems for head coach Lee Clark during pre-season - and the new man in charge at Victoria Park is not complaining at all.

After overseeing wins against Seaton Carew and Redcar Athletic during the first week of pre-season, Clark watched on as his side came from a goal down to preserve their perfect pre-season record by coming from a goal down to claim a 2-1 win at National League North neighbours Spennymoor Town on Saturday. The Pools boss was able to hand game-time to players across his squad as two goals from summer signing Jack Nolan helped cancel out a Richie Bennett strike as Clark’s men impressed once again at Brewery Field.

placeholder image — Mark Fletcher | MI News & Sport

The main focus for Clark is working towards finalising his plans for the National League opener against Barrow next month - and he has admitted the performances and attitudes shown by his players are leaving him with a ‘real headache’.

He told the club website: “Every single player has staked a claim there. They’re making it really difficult for me and my staff to pick a team and that’s what we have asked them to do. I’ve asked them to give me a real headache in that week leading up to the Barrow game where I am changing the team every time I write one down because I’m thinking someone else can come into a certain position because they’ve all been outstanding on the training pitch from day one and also in the games. I can’t ask any more of the players. I’ve asked them to give me a problem in terms of picking the starting eleven and they are making it very difficult for me.”

Decision

Hartlepool United striker Josh Donaldson spent last season on loan at Northern Premier League East club Dunston UTS (photo Eric Murphy) | Eric Murphy

All eyes now turn towards Tuesday night’s visit to National League North newcomers Hebburn Town and Pools will find two familiar faces in the home side after young duo Kian Foreman and Josh Donaldson joined the Hornets on half-season loan deals over the last week. The latter only completed a move on Saturday before appearing for Daniel Moore’s side in a pre-season friendly at Morpeth Town - and Clark is adamant the move can benefit all parties involved.

“I’ve got four top strikers and Josh is another exciting, young striker,” explained Clark. “I don’t want him just standing around twiddling his thumbs when I’m picking the team and he’s not getting the game-time. He’s going to go to club that is well-run, with a good manager, well-managed, at a good level, and we also have the option of recalls and all of that. It benefits everybody. We hopefully get Josh Donaldson back after he’s banged in a few goals for Hebburn and it was a difficult decision because he’s really impressed me in pre-season. I could have just kept him and had five good strikers but knowing the fact it’s going to be difficult to get him game-time or even on the bench at times, that wouldn’t be the right thing for Josh’s development. This move to Hebburn certainly will be.”

Your next Hartlepool United read: Hartlepool United youngster aiming to catch Lee Clark's eye after penning new one-year deal