Hartlepool United v Crawley: Ronnie Moore concern over Magnus Okuonghae deal with Luton Town

Moore brought on the giant Luton Town defender on loan on the eve of last Saturday’s match at Dagenham & Redbridge.

He was outstanding in the 1-0 win at Victoria Road and then made his home debut on Tuesday night in the 1-1 draw with Barnet.

The loan deal was designed to assist both Pools and Luton – to seal up what had become a leaky United backline while getting the defender fit following an Achilles injury so he can return match-sharp to the Hatters.

But Luton have loaned defender Steve McNulty to Tranmere with a view to a permanent deal and Moore fears that will mean Okuonghae NOT staying beyond a month’s duration.

“Magnus is here for 30 days, but it can change after that, there’s no doubt about that,” said Moore.

“We would obviously like to keep him, but the whole idea was for him to come for a month to get games.

“That McNulty situation means he probably will go back now.

“But in the meantime, it’s took us how long to find him?

“Now we have to keep looking while he’s here. But we’ve looked and knocked at so many doors, we’re going to find it really difficult to find someone.”

Moore said he would lean on Luton boss John Still but accepted the Hatters boss would probably want the Londoner back at Kenilworth Road.

“I get on well with Stilly, it’s fine our relationship,” he said.

“I think he hoped McNulty would stay to the end of the season – now he’s a centre-half short and he has to look after his club.

“I don’t know if he may could get someone else in?

“May be he can find someone where I couldn’t – he may have bigger stones down there to look under.

“It’s difficult, fingers crossed, I hope we can keep him.”

Moore explained that Harry Worley, a centre-half he signed in the summer, would be missing long-term with an ankle injury.