Who is new Hartlepool United loan signing Ciaran Brennan?

Pools say the centre half is eligible to make his debut in Saturday’s Isuzu FA Trophy fixture away to City of Liverpool.

Brennan, who will wear the number 34 shirt doing his spell at Clarence Road, has not played a competitive first-team match since February after injuring his shoulder while on loan at Swindon Town in League Two.

He was squeezed out of Wednesday’s 25-man squad for this season’s Championship campaign while continuing his recovery from surgery.

But he has returned to training and started playing again with the South Yorkshire outfit’s under-21 side.

Brennan, 23, told Hartlepool United’s website following his arrival: "I’m pleased to join Hartlepool United.

"It’s a big club and I’m looking forward to playing here. The lads have been very welcoming in training.

"I want to get a run of games under my belt and I can’t wait to get straight into the thick of things."

Brennan was born in Sheffield and joined his home city club in 2013 before progressing through their youth academies.

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After a spell on loan at non-league Gainsborough Trinity, he made his senior debut for the Owls in September 2020 against Rochdale in the Carabao Cup.

He has played 18 times for Wednesday and a further five occasions on loan at Notts County in the 2021-22 season before his temporary move to Swindon last term.

Brennan made 21 appearances for the Wiltshire before suffering his shoulder injury against Harrogate Town on February 25.

This meant he missed Swindon’s dramatic late defeat at Pools on April 1.

He was also absent from the clubs’ earlier League Two encounter on October 22 of last year after he was sent off during Town’s Papa John’s Trophy defeat at West Country rivals Bristol Rovers.

Brennan did, however, play against Pools for Wednesday in the same tournament during Hartlepool’s surprise 3-0 triumph at Hillsborough in December 2021.

His arrival in the North East is a boost for John Askey’s side following injuries to defenders Luke Hendrie and Charlies Seaman.