RAKISH BINGHAM has returned to Hartlepool United, the striker becoming Ronnie Moore’s first signing of the summer.

Bingham moved to Pools in January on loan, and made five appearances, scoring once, before being recalled by Mansfield after the Stags dropped into the relegation battle at the foot of the table.

However, the 21-year-old only played a bit-part role under boss Adam Murray, scoring three times and mainly appearing as a substitute. He was a late substitute at Victoria Park when Pools beat the Stags 1-0 in March on their four-game winning run.

At the time he was recalled, Moore said: "Bings hadn't scored the goals we thought he might have done but he gives us a breather by chasing lost causes.

"I was a bit disappointed he went back to Mansfield, but when I saw they had dropped into the bottom two.

"It is common sense, if you are manager at Mansfield and you let your striker go to the team below you and he scores umpteen goals then you are asking for trouble.’’

However, the striker was out of contract at the end of the season and Moore made Bingham his No 1 target to bolster his forward line.

The Pools boss is confident there are goals in the front man and, coupled with his incessant workrate, Moore is confident Bingham will bring a lot of attributes to his new-look squad.

Moore is waiting to hear from four players who were offered reduced terms earlier this month.

However, while Matthew Bates is likely to sign a new deal, goalkeeper Scott Flinders is set to reject the offer and leave. Neil Austin and Jon Franks are considering their options.

Moore is also seeking an experienced central defender to play alongside Scott Harrison and Dan Jones.

David Mirfin made an impression on loan from Scunthorpe for three months, but he remains under contract at Glanford Park for a further year and would need to be released from his deal for Pools to make any offer to the player.

One experienced centre-half who fits the bill is Micky Nelson. Freed by Cambridge, the 35-year-old was back in Hartlepool at the weekend for a reunion of the successful 2005 play-off squad.

After six years and 306 appearances for Pools from 2002-2008, he has since played for Norwich, Scunthorpe, Kilmarnock, Bradford and Hibs.

With almost 600 career appearances to his name, Nelson is seeking a new challenge and a return to Victoria Park is a real possibility.

“I’m waiting to see now, there’s been interest, but nothing at the minute to jump out,’’ he admitted. “We are only weeks from the season finishing, so I can still give it time and hopefully something pops up to grab my attention.

“If not, we go banging on doors. I want to play on, I played 40 games this season. I’ve not had a season when I’ve played less than 30 since I started and I’m in better shape in my career than ever.

“I look after myself well, every year you look after yourself better and you have to go on the last season and I played 40 games with no problems or feeling I was struggling at all.

“I’m fit and well and hopefully someone will take me up.

“We played at Old Trafford last season and drew with Manchester United in the FA Cup, so that was a good memory and one to remember.’’