HARTLEPOOL United have made their move to try and sign Dean Windass.

The Hull City striker has been told he can leave the KC Stadium, but Pools can now expect a number of clubs to jump in the race for his services – with Oldham strongly joining the chase.

After Kevin Kyle returned to Coventry, Richard Barker moved to Rotherham and James Brown was ruled out for the season, Pools have been left with limited options up front.

Windass, 39, revealed: “Brian Horton (Hull assistant) called me in and told me the club were accepting offers to take me on loan. That tells you all you need to know.

“So far one club, Hartlepool, has come in for me and I’m waiting to see how things develop.

I’m going to talk over the move with my family over the next couple of days and take it from there.

“I’ve had a chat to Hartlepool, I’ll assess the option in the next 48 hours and see what happens.’’ Windass has not played for the Tigers since being hauled off at half-time during the Boxing Day loss at Man City and has only been sparingly used this season. He is not cup-tied and would be free play in Pools’ fourth round tie with West Ham United.

Leeds, Doncaster and Bradford have enquired about Windass this season.

When Danny Wilson left Pools last month, Windass was linked with a move to the club as assistant player-manager – provided former Newcastle and one-time Pools defender Steve Howey gets the manager’s job.

However, Windass revealed that link came about because he and Howey did their coaching badges together and made a pact while on the course to appoint the other if one of them got a managerial post.

Howey is a rank outsider in the running at Victoria Park and Pools interest is soley to attract Windass as a player.

Meanwhile, Oldham have already indicated that Saturday’s League One game is under threat, with the Boundary Park pitch frozen.

Pools FA Cup tie with West Ham will be screened live on ITV on Saturday, January 24, kick-off 12.40. The club will bank £160,000 from the FA as a result, which is on top of the £125,000 prize fund for reaching the fourth round.

* Tickets for the West Ham game go on sale to season ticket holders this morning, on production of Voucher K, until Monday.

Fans with three ticket stubs from Crewe, Stoke and Northampton Town go on sale from Tuesday, January 13 for four days.

Supporters who buy a ticket for the game with Northampton on Friday, January 16 during the four days of sales to holders of three stubs can also purchase a West Ham ticket on production of stubs from games with Crewe and Stoke.

Two stub holders (two from Crewe, City and Northampton) are on sale from Monday, January 19 and two days later for one stub. Tickets go on general sale on Thursday, January 22.