RONNIE MOORE yesterday allowed three players to leave Hartlepool United and admits he has been suffering plenty of transfer knock backs in his bid to revamp his squad.

Loan signings Joe Ironside and Matteo Lanzoni have returned to their parent clubs, Sheffield United and Cambridge, while Dutch winger Sidney Schmletz has been freed after his short-term deal expired.

The trio were all signed by former boss Paul Murray, but none of them are up to the job of trying to keep Pools in the Football League.

And the manager admits enticing players to Victoria Park given Pools’ current predicament is proving tough.

“Five strikers this week have turned us down, but I don’t want to dive in and sign five for Saturday, we work hard next week to get at least three new ones in for the challenge,’’ he said.

“It’s a challenge to get players here anyway because of where we are – out on a limb. All your away games are overnighters and long hauls, but you get on with it.

“That’s where a club like ours has to get the better kids in from Liverpools, Manchester Uniteds, Sunderlands, Newcastles, Middlesbroughs – all the teams around us. It’s nice if they help us and it’s about getting the right players in which hasn’t been done in the past.’’

New signings for Saturday’s game at Wycombe have to be registered on Saturday morning when the transfer window opens.

The Football League and Football Association offices are closed until then, giving clubs little chance to get new players in for the first game of 2015.

Moore added: “I’ve nearly had three in this week and lost them all because of where we are which is a sickener.

“If that means we have to look at younger ones with ability and pace then we look for it. Everyone wants a striker, and if you are thinking of someone who gets one goal in two games then he isn’t coming to Hartlepool is he.

“We need to realise that, everyone does, but we look for players with the work ethic that my teams are all about.

“You don’t have to be the most talented individual, but be fit, adapt to the team shape and pattern, never give up. Get that and we could be fine. It’s not like we are four points short with one game left. There’s time left.

“I can’t say we get five brilliant players in on Monday and we are off and running – that doesn’t happen.

“If we were top of the table I would have people phoning me wanting to come to us, instead we have to convince people to come here. Even for a month – come, enjoy it, it puts them in the shop window too.’’

Moore is considering signing Scott Harrison. He’s had two loan spells at Pools, at the end of last season and then this campaign from August 22 to November 4.

The centre-half is training with Pools and Moore said: “Scott Harrison is still here, I feel sorry for him as everything was arranged and in place for him to come. But I’m not going to sign anyone who I haven’t seen or isn’t about and to be fair, Sunderland have allowed him to come in and train and been brilliant with us, but they aren’t going to wait forever.

“Scotty wants to know what’s going on and he is keen enough. Sam Collins speaks highly enough of him and said he played well last season with him – he’s a big strong lad. At this moment in time I cannot say yes or no, I just need to make my mind up when I see him play.’’