HARTLEPOOL UNITED have entered talks with Nicke Kabamaba to try and keep the striker in the North-East.

Kabamba arrived on loan from Havant and Waterlooville in January and scored five times in his first five games and has become a regular in the side.

He is at the Super 6 Stadium until the end of the season and Pools want to keep him.

But boss Craig Hignett admits non-footballing reasons will play a major part in his decision.

While he was playing part-time football with the Hawkes, Kabamba is desperate to take up the chance of returning to the full-time game.

Whether that is with Pools remains to be seen, however.

Hignett admitted: “Nicke, we have asked him and spoke to him and spoke to his agent and this started weeks ago.

“He obviously has family issues he needs to sort out and his girlfriend lives and works in the Portsmouth region so if he is going to relocate then there’s a lot of things to think about and consider.

“It has to be right for everyone. It’s a big decision but we know how he feels after speaking with him.’’

Hignett added: “He’s the sort of character you want around the club. He’s fitted in well. If we keep him then brilliant but if he decides the geography is too much for him then we move on, no hard feelings and that’s life.’’

Pools on Friday signed Adam Bale from Sunderland. The midfielder has been on trial at Pools and appeared in a practice game with Middlesbrough. He has signed a deal until the end of next season.

The manager said: “Adam has a lot to learn, we like what we see and he will get about the pitch and get tackles in. The crowd will like him and he’s come here because he knows he needs to play men’s football.

“There will be a little bit of adjusting but we think we have got a player there.’’