Pools boss keen on two more new signings

Manager Craig Harrison is excited to have a full squad at his disposal – but that will not stop him trying to bring a couple more new players to boost Hartlepool United’s squad for their National League campaign.

With Rhys Oates winning his fitness battle and fellow striker Devante Rodney having played his first minutes of pre-season, Pools look like having a clean bill of health for Saturday’s season-opener at home to Dover Athletic.

Harrison is hoping to make two more signings, with trialists Jonathan Franks and Lewis Maloney, who shone in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Whitley Bay, candidates for permanent contracts.

Franks – who had three seasons with Pools from 2012-15 before joining Ross County – would add to his frontline options, while Maloney is a midfielder, an area already highlystocked with players.

Pools do need a centre-half, though Harrison could use the loan market to help out in that area.

“I’d like to bring two more in and think I will do before the season starts,” explained Harrison. “That’s an on-going project.

“I’m always looking to strengthen, whenever I can, whether that’s midway through the season, at Christmas, whenever.

“I’ll always be looking to strengthen, to make our team better or give our team something we haven’t got, a different dimension.

“I’m very big on competition for places.”

Harrison has a big choice to make for his first league game in charge, as Pools begin life outside the EFL for the first time.

“Hopefully, everyone will be fit,” he said “It’s looking that way, then it will be a big dilemma for me and the coaching staff on Friday when we chew the fat.

“We’ll see who’s going to start the game and who’ll be on the bench because we’ll only have five subs in the National League.

“There are going to be three or four senior players who are going to be disappointed.

“That’s football, but we are going to need them to be positive and to be ready for when their opportunity comes.”