JAKE CASSIDY returns to the Hartlepool United squad today, with new boss Richard Money ready to welcome him back to the fold.

The striker was allowed to move to Maidstone on loan in August, a deal which expired after their New Year’s Day defeat at Dover.

That means he is back with Pools for training from today – and could face Maidstone at the Super 6 Stadium in a Pools shirt on Saturday.

The Stones, who have former Pools midfielder Simon Walton as joint caretaker boss, wanted to keep Cassidy permanently but the departure of Matthew Bates at Pools ended that prospect. He has two goals in his last four games.

And Money said: “Jake will be back with us this week, we are looking forward to having him here. We had a 16-year-old on the bench the other day because he was the only forward available in the building.

“I’m not sure how we got to this situation, but we have. Jake comes back and that’s an option and we would like to add another one or two in the forward areas as quick as we can.

“Jake coming back and we have to get him on board with the way we are trying to play and Niko had his best game since I came to the club.

“Cassidy is a different type of forward and, either starting or on the bench, then you need those options.’’

Money will hope to make signings in the transfer window. While National League clubs aren’t affected by the same deadlines and openings as the Football League and Premier League, it does affect which players are available for transfer or loan from higher divisions.

Pools were without Andrew Davies on New Year’s Day and Money admits his is short of options.

“We thought Andrew would be fit on Sunday, but Monday he wasn’t. Harvey Rodgers felt his thigh on the morning of the game so we had to change the thinking frantically,’’ he said.

“We are looking a bit bare bones and we need to bring someone in for sure and we are active.

“I don’t want to wait the month out before making a signing, but equally I don’t want to get someone in who is not going to affect the first-team.

“We have to make sure we get the right ones. I want us to have a young, vibrant group and the more young players the better although we need the right type of experience around that.

“I don’t think we will be looking for experience this transfer window.’’