Ambitious attitude vital to get Pools targets in on time for start of pre-season

Hartlepool United's growing 'ambition' has been pivotal in helping Craig Hignett quickly secure his main transfer targets this summer.

The Pools squad today returned to Maiden Castle for the first day of pre-season training, with striker Padraig Amond, central defender Toto Nsiala and attacking midfielder Nicky Deverdics among the new faces.

Hignett is on the verge of adding a further new arrival, with another centre-back and striker on the wanted list.

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But he was delighted to get the majority of his business done so early, with the new season not kicking off until August 6.

And Hignett is delighted with the way his new-look squad is taking shape.

“The club is moving in a good direction,” Hignett said.

“We have spoken to all of the players that have come in and what we want for the club and how we are going to move forward, and they have spoken to one or two who they knew and it has all been really positive.

“They see us as a club on the up, an ambitious club that is giving it a go and that is reflected in the players we have signed. We have beaten a number of clubs to their signatures.

“That is really pleasing for me.

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“Getting it done early was key for me. That is what I wanted to do, to try and get as many in as I could before we started back.

“They can then get to know the players and vice-versa and I think the week away in Tenerife will be a massive help on that front too.

“I am really pleased with our business, delighted. Everyone we have gone for has decided to join us and that is great for us as a club.”

Hignett wasted no time in rebuilding his squad with the release of several players at the end of last season.

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Striker Scott Fenwick, defender Scott Harrison and Dan Jones were among those released.

Jones, 21, this week signed a deal with League Two newcomers Grimsby Town and Hignett was pleased to see the left-back secure a new club.

“I am pleased for Dan – He is a great kid,” added Hignett.

“He had been at Hartlepool a long time and it was a really tough decision to let him go, but I think he needed it.

“He had become stale and needed to push himself and get a fresh challenge.

“He has more than enough ability to do well in the league and become a good player but I felt he needed a change for himself.”