JORDAN HUGILL, who scored the goal to keep Hartlepool United in the Football League last weekend, is unlikely to be back at the club next season.

The striker moved to Pools on loan from Preston North End in March and will be back at Deepdale to try and make his mark at a higher level.

Middlesbrough-born Hugill played for a number of Northern League clubs before being signed by then Port Vale boss Micky Adams after a spell at the Glenn Hoddle Academy in Spain.

After moving to Preston, he linked up with Adams again earlier this year, but his spell at Tranmere was an unproductive one.

However, after impressing everyone at Pools with his workrate and finishing, the striker admitted: "I wouldn't write off coming back but I would like to kick on at Preston.

"I want to take what has happened here, my successful time here, take that confidence into pre-season next season and hopefully Preston will get promoted.

"Then I want to do what I can there, to help them in the Championship.

"I said to Simon Grayson before I came here that I can go out on loan and work my socks off and come back, work during the off season, get myself fitter and stronger and be part of the plans next year.

"I am straight up with everyone and I said I want to be a big part of his plans for next season.

"He said I'd been unlucky with injuries and other things, hopefully I can be a big player for Preston next season."

Hugill formed a hard-working partnership with Scott Fenwick at the weekend, both strikers scoring as Pools beat Exeter 2-1 to send Tranmere and Cheltenham out of the Football League.

Pools boss Ronnie Moore has worked the loan market well and Hugill admitted: "When you come in on loan people automatically think you have to be an impact player, you have to take ten people on and stick it in the top corner.

"That is not my game, I'm not built for stuff like that.

"But I will come in and work hard, everything I have done since I have been here.

"We have had players recalled, whatever happened, to come in to it and those that have stayed and fought - it is just unbelievable.’’

Pools have around 200 terrace tickets remaining of their 2,400 allocation for Saturday’s finale at Carlisle. They are on sale at Victoria Park until 4pm on Friday.