Hartlepool United boss Craig Hignett will give whole squad chance to show what they can do

SportMail reported on Monday that Hignett had no interest in bringing in any loan players to Victoria Park.

And he told his media conference today that no-one would be leaving on loan either, not in the near future anyway.

Given the growth of the Pools squad following signings and players returning from injury, a number of players cannot even get into the match-day 18.

Players like Ebby Nelson-Addy, Kudus Oyenuga and Connor Smith who have featured this season on the bench are currently out of the equation.

"I want to assess everyone and I want to give them all a chance to show me what they can do before I decide anything," said Hignett.

"I owe it to them really, everyone has a fresh start, new lease of life.

"Like I say, everyone has been really sharp in training.

"In fact, Curtis said on his first day he couldn't believe how sharp they looked.

"It's all been positive."

Pools meanwhile today began preparations for Saturday's trip to Luton and Hignett hopes to have a clean bill of health, including midfielder Michael Woods who came off late on in Tuesday's defeat to Notts County.

"He's all right," said the manager. "But we'll assess him. He came off and felt his hamstring, hopefully it's not too bad and he'll be OK."

.