Summer signing Owen Hampson's absence from Hartlepool United's pre-season campaign explained

Hartlepool United head coach Lee Clark has explained why summer signing Owen Hampson is yet to appear in any of his side’s pre-season friendlies.

There was great enthusiasm over the arrival of the former Sheffield United youngster after Pools saw off competition from a number of other clubs to secure his signature last month after he impressed within the Blades youth ranks and eanred some senior experience during loan stints with Dunfermline Athletic and Boston United.

The 21-year-old midfielder put pen-to-paper on a one-year deal at Victoria Park earlier this summer and that agreement can be extended by a further 12 months by the club. However, Hampson is yet to feature in any of Pools’ pre-season friendlies and has been working hard to work towards full fitness as he continues to recover from an hamstring he picked up during the final months of his time at Bramall Lane.

Clark has admitted the young midfielder will not be ready to be in contention for the home game with Barrow on the opening day of the new National League season next month - but stressed Hampson can go on to play a key role in helping his new boss implement the high-intensity style of play he wants from his side during his first season in charge at Victoria Park.

He told the club website: “He’s not going to be ready for the start of the season - but he’s not too far away. We just have to be really secure with him because the issue is just a little bit of an issue he had last season with Sheffield United so we don’t want to be silly with it and he does something crazy and he’s out for four, five, six months. We are so excited about what he can bring to the group. His fitness levels are really what we love because our high-press, he can be really good for that so we are looking forward to that.”

What has Owen Hampson said about joining Hartlepool United?

Speaking after signing a one-year deal, Hampson said: “I spoke to a lot of people before making my decision and everyone spoke incredibly highly of the football club. The more conversations I had, the more I heard about the exciting project that is being built here at Pools. Chris Maxwell spoke passionately about the direction the Club is heading, the ambition for the future and where he believes this team can go and it was something I wanted to be part of.

“It was clear there is a real vision for the football club and, as a young player looking to establish myself in senior football, that really appealed to me. Hartlepool is a massive football club with a passionate fanbase and high expectations, and that’s exactly the type of environment I want to be part of. I’m hungry to prove myself, work hard every day, establish myself in senior football and do everything I can to help the Club achieve its ambitions.”

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