'We haven't seen him since Harrogate' – Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor explains goalkeeper situation with Dimi Konstantopoulos and Ben Killip

Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor is continuing to assess the goalkeeping situation at the club.
Dimitrios Konstantopoulos of Hartlepool United in action during the The Buildbase FA Trophy match between Harrogate Town and Hartlepool United at Wetherby Road, Harrogate on Saturday 14th December 2019. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Dimitrios Konstantopoulos of Hartlepool United in action during the The Buildbase FA Trophy match between Harrogate Town and Hartlepool United at Wetherby Road, Harrogate on Saturday 14th December 2019. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Dimitrios Konstantopoulos of Hartlepool United in action during the The Buildbase FA Trophy match between Harrogate Town and Hartlepool United at Wetherby Road, Harrogate on Saturday 14th December 2019. (Credit: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

Ben Killip’s goal costing error during Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Barrow cast further scrutiny on the much discussed position.

Pools have signed former England under-19 international Mitch Beeney and club legend Dimi Konstantopoulos on non-contract terms over the past month in an attempt to add competition between the sticks.

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Konstantopoulos started his first match for Hartlepool in 12 years when he featured in the FA Trophy defeat at Harrogate Town earlier this month.

After saving a penalty in the first half, the Greek goalkeeper conceded three poor goals in the final 13-minutes of the game which led to an early exit.

“I’m not sure what Dimi’s plans are if I’m honest,” said United manager Dave Challinor.

“He’s been here since before I arrived and he had a disappointing day at Harrogate and we haven’t seen him since. I think he’s been away over Christmas to be fair.

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“We’ve got Mitch in with us who is trying to earn a deal and has done well in training. We haven’t seen him in a game and that’s the crux of everything because games are a lot different from training.

“We want to have someone who will put pressure on Ben in the right sort of way. If that’s Mitch then so be it because we’ll definitely get an opportunity to see him in a game and we’ll make a call on that. We’ll keep looking because it’s an area that we know we need competition in.”