DANNY Wilson is expecting Andy Monkhouse to sign for Hartlepool United in the next 48 hours.

After a successful loan spell, he returned to Swindon Town last week.

Wilson was hopeful the left winger would be part of his plans for Saturday's hard-fought draw at Shrewsbury Town.

But Monkhouse has yet to put pen to paper and his direct replacement at Gay Meadow, James Brown, was outstanding.

When asked if Monkhouse will become his second transfer window recruit after the capture of Ritchie Barker, Wilson confirmed a deal had been agreed with Swindon and admitted: "I am hoping so. He gives us good balance down that left side.

"The talks are fairly advanced. I would be surprised if it wasn't done this week but if it isn't, it isn't, I'll leave it to the powers that be.

"We are just waiting to dot the i's and cross the t's.''

Wilson last week allowed Jon Daly to move to Dundee United.

The club's leading scorer, with nine, signed for the SPL side for an undisclosed fee and Wilson admitted Barker's arrival would have meant limited chances for Daly.

"From Jon Daly's point of view it would be no use for him at his age to be sitting on the bench and making little cameos from time to time,'' he said.

"He wants to play football and from our point of view we want to leave a bit of room to bring some others in.

"I said to him the other day, it is the circle of life in football. You have to turn things round at times.

"I wish him all the best, he is a cracking lad but he has been a victim of circumstances - but that's football.

"He did not leave on a bad note. He has gone to a good club with a good manager.

"I know Craig Levein quite well and I am sure he will work well with Jon.''

Daly admitted leaving Victoria Park was the last thing on his agenda. Pools have received an undisclosed, but nominal, fee for the striker who would have been out of contract in the summer.

"I never said I wanted to leave - even at the start of the season when the club had to get the wage bill down they were looking to sell me,'' he said.

"I knuckled down and got back in the team, but the signing of Ritchie Barker kind of closed the door for me. I'm sad to leave.''

He added: "Dundee United are a big club and it is a big league up there - Premier League - so it is going to be a big change from playing at grounds like Accrington Stanley.

"Hopefully I'll go up there, settle in and do the business."