RICHARD MONEY is expecting to add to his Hartlepool United squad in the coming hours.

The Pools boss is closing in on a deal for a centre-half ahead of Saturday’s game at Harrogate Town, with an announcement hopefully to come later today.

Pools have lost two defenders in the last week and Money is short in that area.

An experienced head to replace Andrew Davies is top of his wishlist, but he is out to add to his midfield too.

Speaking at his press conference on Thursday morning, the Pools boss said: “We are looking to add to the squad. We are making progress and I’m probably spending more time than I really wanted to.

“I hoped we could get a bounce quickly, but we didn’t get that, so we need to improve things pretty quickly and freshen it up for supporters.

“I’m pretty hopeful for news over the next 24 hours. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see Harvey Rodgers has gone back and Andrew Davies has left the club so I’m hopeful we have one done, without saying so at the moment.

The Northern Echo:

“I’ve made it clear where else I would like to strengthen so I wouldn’t like for now to say too much.’’

Money has taken in a number of games in the North-East over the last two weeks, regularly watching the Academy sides of Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United.

He appreciates how hard it can be to entice players from outside the North-East to the region and is confident his scouting missions will pay off.

The manager, who has had midfielder Connor Newton back in training this week, added: “We have focused on signing players we think we can get – the market is different in January as we are selecting from who may be available, a talented youngster who may need games.

“It’s a different time for deals and I’ve not tried to sign anyone from a club away from here, somewhere south, because that isn’t going to happen.’’