TEENAGE striker Jake Orrell has joined the Hartlepool United ranks.

Orrell, 18, rejected the offer of a new deal with Chesterfield to move to Victoria Park, where his younger brother Lewis is part of the youth team.

He started at Sunderland before leaving and signing for Gateshead before a move to Derbyshire, and he made four appearances for the Spireites.

Pools have already signed three young prospects during the close season – goalkeeper Ben Dudzinski, left-back James Martin and centre-half Ben Pollock – as well as attacking midfielder Nicky Deverdics from Dover.

Michael Woods is expected to put pen to paper on a new deal. The midfielder is out of contract and has yet to agree terms, but Hignett said: “I think Woodsy is away on holiday at the moment. When he comes back, I think he’ll come in and sign. He’s been great with me, he’s been totally honest.

“When there was that stuff in the press about Blackburn, he asked me if I was going. I said I wasn’t and, as far I was concerned there was nothing in it.

“Woodsy said that he’d wait til that vacancy was filled - obviously he didn’t believe me!

“Now it has been filled (by Owen Coyle) I hope to see him come in and sign.”

Rob Jones, Rakish Bingham and Michael Duckworth were also offered terms, and right-back Duckworth is likely to sign for Fleetwood Town in League One.