AMID changes to the loan system, Hartlepool United are finding out how they work the hard way.

Short-term loan deals are no more, they have to be either for a half or full season, and Pools’ two temporary transfers this season haven’t worked out.

Bradley Fewster and Tom Heardman both arrived at Pools from Middlesbrough and Newcastle respectively.

Both are back at their parent clubs for treatment after suffering from injuries, and chances are Pools have seen the last of them both.

Fewster suffered hamstring damage in Pools’ Checkatrade Trophy game with Sunderland last month, Heardman has been troubled by a couple of problems.

“Tom played for Newcastle last week and wasn’t quite right. He felt his hamstring and he’s had a hip injury and a hamstring injury and he’s never been quite right, so we’ve sent him back to Newcastle for treatment,’’ said frustrated boss Craig Hignett.

“And we will see how he goes. Brad is back at Middlesbrough, and they say he’s not ready for two months. We felt it was sooner, but their opinion is two months so we have to abide by their decision.

“We have to get on with it and Brad would probably have had a run of games now Nathan is out and I’m sure it’s disappointing for Brad too.’’

Pools, under Ronnie Moore especially last season, made a raft of short-term loan signings, some good, some bad.

With clubs no longer able to take a short-term view on signings, Hignett admits the thinking of a manager when it comes to temporary signings has to be different.

He added: “It makes you reassess things and how you look at loans. It makes me reassess who I loan players from because the system has changed too. Loans have to be longer-term from window to window and now you have to make sure.

“We’ve been unlucky with the lads we have had, they’ve not quite been match-fit and not quite ready.

“Fews and it’s disappointing to lose him and he would have been an asset.

“Tomh should be fit before his loan is up so I would imagine he would be back with us at some point, but Boro said Fews is up to the window so I would doubt we will see him again.

“I don’t think we would be loaning him back again, but that’s a conversation we would have with Middlesbrough.’’

Hignett gave a number of his younger squad players a run out in Wednesday’s Checkatrade Trophy defeat to Rochdale.

None of them are likely to make the first XI for tomorrow’s League Two encounter with Cheltenham.

Hignett said: “After Rochdale they didn’t make me want to pick them. One or two things to think about – Liam Donnelly is back from suspension so does he go in?

“Players had a chance in a low-key game, but didn’t take it so I’m there in my head about my team for the weekend.

“James Martin is a great little player, but he’s had a bang and a bit of concussion, a bit groggy when he came off.

“He’s been flying in training, Jake Orrell the game and Brad has looked somewhere near his best, but this performances was a bit hit and miss.’’

Harly Wise, a former QPR hopeful and nephew of ex-Chelsea and England midfielder Dennis Wise, made his debut against Dale and the manager said: “Harly is a big lad, comfortable on the ball and has trained very well. He can handle a ball and is a footballing centre-half, he’s one for the future here to develop and will need to get a bit fitter and needs games, but the potential is there.’’