SCOTT FENWICK and Scott Harrison are the two biggest casualties from Craig Hignett’s retained list at Hartlepool United.

Striker Fenwick and centre-half Harrison have endured difficult seasons at Victoria Park and will now be seeking new clubs after being informed they are surplus to Hignett’s requirements.

Harry Worley is also on his way after an injury-plagued campaign, joining Peter Denton, Ebby Nelson-Addy and Kudos Oyenuga who were freed on Wednesday.

While options have been taken up on the contracts of nine players, there was no word on the futures of Rob Jones, Dan Jones, Michael Woods, Michael Duckworth or Rakish Bingham on the statement released yesterday.

Hignett said at the weekend he would be letting his players know this week and, speaking at yesterday morning’s press conference he said: “Everyone will know by today.

"I will speak to everyone and they will be in no doubt where they lie.’’

Pools are due back for pre-season training on Wednesday, June 29.

While a number of players have signed new deals in the last two weeks, Hignett is hoping to have a couple more tied down in the coming days, and he said: "There are two I'd like to get done pretty quickly, then I can relax a little bit, then I can talk about the Adam Jacksons and things like that.’’

Jackson, who won the club’s young player of the year award on Wednesday night, is on loan from Middlesbrough and Pools hope to keep him at Victoria Park next season. He is still under contract at the Riverside and Boro will be seeking a fee for his services.

Fenwick moved to Pools from Dunston last season, signed by then boss Paul Murray. He made an impact, scoring six times – including in the vital victory over Exeter which kept Pools in the Football League.

But this season has proved a difficult one. He started playing wide left in a front three, and chances as an out and out striker were scarce under Ronnie Moore, who never had much faith in the hard-working 26-year-old.

He netted three goals in four games at the turn of the year, but was soon back on the sidelines and never made a mark under Hignett. Fenwick disappointed the club hierarchy when he asked to move on loan and he was allowed to go to Tranmere on a temporary basis in March, but that was cut short after only three substitute outings.

Harrison leaves after making 55 appearances in two loan spells and a permanent deal which was completed in February last year.

However, he made only one appearance under Hignett – in the 4-1 thumping at Bristol Rovers – and a broken metatarsal suffered in training last month ended his campaign.

Worley signed last summer, and made only five appearances before suffering a long-term ankle injury.

Hignett said: “I’ve got nothing bad to say about anyone at the club. Attitude-wise, application-wise I’ve never had a minute’s problem with anyone.

“They have come in, worked hard, but I know what direction I’m going in and some big decisions have to be made.’’

Options have been exercised on the contracts of Matthew Bates, Jake Carroll, Kieran Green, Carl Magnay, Rhys Oates, Billy Paynter, Jordan Richards, Connor Smith and Brad Walker.

Pools had already agreed deals with Trevor Carson, Adam Bartlett, Lewis Hawkins, Nicky Featherstone and Josh Nearney in recent weeks.

Carson won two big awards at the club’s player of the year awards and Hignett said: “Trevor has been unbelievable since I’ve been here, and I was delighted he signed a new, three-year deal.

“It shows his ambition, and the ambition of the club to keep him. I consider him, without any doubt, the best keeper in League Two, probably League One too.

“He’s got it all – a good shot-stopper, has a real presence and his kicking can set us up on the attack straight away. Having him here is fantastic.

“Nicky signed a new deal, the force has been strong with him since day one. He’s a really intelligent footballer and if he plays well, we play well as a team – he makes us tick.

“And he’s proved a big influence here, so I’m delighted he’s staying.’’