HARTLEPOOL UNITED are set to add to their squad today with two new loan signings today – but experienced midfielder Jonathan Greening won’t be signing.

Pools expect to add two new recruits ahead of tomorrow’s game with Tranmere at Victoria Park, one of them a goalkeeper after back-up Andy Rafferty left the club last month.

Greening played one game in pre-season for Pools, left to try his luck elsewhere, and was back training with the club last week.

However, the 35-year-old won’t be continuing his playing career – at Pools or any other club.

Boss Colin Cooper said: “Jonathan had two days with us and decided to retire from football – I don’t know what it says about my sessions!

“He had some time during the summer with his family and came in here. I was prepared to sit down and talk with him about moving forward, but he said he feels as through it’s probably beyond him.

“That’s an honest assessment from himself. But what I did say was don’t do it hastily as your football career never comes back. If you can play until you are 40 then play until then because it’s never coming back. Don’t make a hasty decision on not being able to get a club now.

“He’s a great lad, I told him not to be hasty – here or anywhere else. He is keen to get involved in coaching and is on the pathway to his badges, but I have seen some players regret stopping playing when they could carry on.’’

Greening, Scarborough-born, made497 career appearances, with spells at Manchester United, Middlesbrough, West Brom, Fulham and Nottingham Forest after starting his career as a trainee at York City.

Pools will be without Stuart Parnaby and Michael Duckworth tomorrow, after both suffered hamstring injuries last week.

“The two lads from last weekend, Michael tweaked his hamstring on Friday in training and Stuart on Saturday. I just go by the physio’s recommendation and see how they are,’’ said Cooper.

“Both are not long-term injuries, so if not this weekend then hopefully next week in a busy week.

“You can’t help injuries. We don’t carry big numbers so to lose two in quick succession isn’t ideal, but it gives someone else a chance and in this case it’s one for Jordan Richards.’’

Pools this week extended the loan of Middlesbrough’s Ryan Brobbel for a further month. The Hartlepool-born wide man has impressed in his spell at Victoria Park and this week played for Northern Ireland Under-21s scoring in their defeat to Serbia.

Cooper said: “Ryan had a good week, but international football is tough. He has been bright for us and it’s a case of seeing how he is, but he should be OK. Getting from here to Belfast to play and then get back, we will have to be careful with him.’’