Josh Umerah could be a key part of John Askey's squad should he remain with Hartlepool United. (Photo: Mark Fletcher | MI News)Josh Umerah could be a key part of John Askey's squad should he remain with Hartlepool United. (Photo: Mark Fletcher | MI News)
Josh Umerah could be a key part of John Askey's squad should he remain with Hartlepool United. (Photo: Mark Fletcher | MI News)

Is this Hartlepool United's current best XI following arrivals of ex-Mansfield Town and FC Halifax stars - photo gallery

John Askey continues to shape his Hartlepool United squad ahead of the new National League season.

The Pools boss has already made five new signings with the squad now well into their early pre-season schedule before pre-season friendlies kick-off against Middlesbrough next week.

And while there is likely to still be plenty more transfer activity to come at the Suit Direct Stadium over the course of the next few weeks, Askey will be gaining a greater understanding as to what his starting line-up could look like when Pools head to Barnet on the opening day of the season in a month’s time.

Kieran Burton, Joel Dixon, Kieran Wallace, Pete Jameson and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe have all arrived at the Suit Direct Stadium this summer, but how many of them would currently feature in Hartlepool’s starting XI?

Here, at The Mail, we look at Askey's squad and predict who we think would be Hartlepool’s strongest XI as things stand.