Hartlepool United play-off hero Luke Armstrong expected to sign for Harrogate Town from Salford City

Hartlepool United may have only been a League Two side again for a few days, but they have already been dealt an early transfer blow.
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Sunday’s promotion final goalscorer Luke Armstrong is expected to move to Pools’ League Two rivals Harrogate Town following the end of his loan spell at Victoria Park.

Armstrong joined Pools on loan from Salford City in December 2020 and went on to fire Dave Challinor’s side to promotion from the National League with 15 goals in 32 appearances.

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But The Mail understands the 24-year-old is unlikely to be returning to Hartlepool for the 2021-22 season despite Challinor looking to secure a deal.

Luke Armstrong celebrates scoring for Hartlepool United in the National League promotion final against Torquay United (photo: Frank Reid).Luke Armstrong celebrates scoring for Hartlepool United in the National League promotion final against Torquay United (photo: Frank Reid).
Luke Armstrong celebrates scoring for Hartlepool United in the National League promotion final against Torquay United (photo: Frank Reid).

“I hope we could bring him back, we’d be daft not to but it’s out of our hands really,” he told The Mail. “He’s Salford’s player and I know Gary [Bowyer] rates him really highly and has tried to sign him previously.

"Luke has obviously enjoyed his time here being back home and I’m sure if you asked him he’d say he would love to be back and we’d love to have him.

"The consequence of that may affect what we will do but it goes without saying that it would be brilliant to have him back.”

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Hartlepool currently have just six players signed up for the 2021-22 campaign but are likely to lose one, Brad Young, to Premier League side Leicester City.

Mark Shelton and Timi Odusina also have extension options which the club are looking to trigger ahead of confirming their retained list on Sunday.

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