PROMISING defender Peter Hartley became Hartlepool United’s third signing of the summer yesterday and was immediately told to set his sights on the League One play-offs.

The 21-year-old centreback’s arrival at his hometown club from Sunderland has followed the acquisitions of Adam Boyd, from Leyton Orient, and Leon McSweeney, from Stockport.

And the word from Victoria Park is there’s more to come with talks continuing with Coventry City about taking Greek goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopulos back to the club, while they are also still looking for another striker and a right-back.

Director of Sport Chris Turner, whose success on the transfer front suggests he is nearer to becoming the club’s permanent manager, had outlined to Boyd his intentions in the transfer market – and the striker has been pleased to see the moves come off.

“When I met Chris and Russ (Green) they told me the areas they wanted to strengthen, mentioned a few names who they hoped to bring in,” said Boyd. “I was really impressed to be honest and the players who have been brought in will certainly have improved the squad.

“Promotion and play-offs were never mentioned in the talks, but I think deep down that if he can continue to bring in the players he wants to bring in, then I think that’s a realistic chance.

“Last season was very poor for this club and they should not have been struggling against relegation. Everyone was disappointed, but it’s about getting up towards the right end of the table.”

Hartley’s signature has improved defensive options, particularly given how Michael Nelson has not committed his future to the club amid interest from Hibernian.

Born in Hartlepool, Hartley has been with Sunderland since 2000, but was released by the Black Cats’ yesterday having failed to add to the appearance he made as a late substitute at Leicester more than two years ago.

He can also operate as a leftback and is regarded as a good communicator at the back, having been highly rated during Mick McCarthy’s time at the Stadium of Light.

Now, though, he is concentrating on his new life at his hometown club, where he will be joining Boyd when they start pre-season training on July 1.

Boyd is happy and relieved to be back, although he admits that he would never have looked to move on from Leyton Orient had it been for any other lower league club than Hartlepool.

He turned 27 on Monday and has completed a move back to his first club for a reputed £80,000 three years after his departure to Luton for £500,000.

And while he had an unsuccessful one season stint at Kenilworth Road he has scored 23 goals in 67 League One appearances during his two years at Orient.

“I have no regrets even though my move to Luton never took off like I wanted it to,” said Boyd.

“A little bit of it was down to my own fault, but I think I should have been given a few more chances. I don’t regret leaving and I had three great years in London.”

There has been suggestions that Hartlepool would sign Konstantopoulos sooner rather than later. However, sources close to Coventry claim nothing will happen until close to July – if at all.

Coventry are reluctant to allow him to leave on an initial six-month loan deal while they have not found a suitable number two for Kieran Westwood.