WITH three of his back four temporary signings, the Hartlepool United manager has praised his temporary additions.

Pools are at Solihull Moors this evening, in a game of some significance in their play-off hopes. Moors beat Dover 3-0 at home on Saturday while Pools drew at Boreham Wood. Moors are three points ahead of Pools.

Macauley Southam-Hailes is on loan from Fleetwood, Tim Odusina from Norwich and Gary Liddle form Walsall. Challinor also has midfielder Mark Shelton from Salford and striker Rob Harker from Burnley.

The defenders have impressed as a unit and Challinor said: “The back four have been great and loans are a tough one. My opinion on loans are different. Supporters see players come here without an interest in the club and looking after themselves. You have to make sure you get a large proportion of loan signings right.

“We have got players in who have straight away got the club and got what it’s all about. Lidds has been here before and knows the situation, Shelts has played against the club and knows the size of it.

“The other three are young lads who have come in and thrived in the pressure and the atmosphere. They have come to a team doing well and they have enhanced it.

“Three of the back four are loans, which is always difficult with defenders, but it’s allowed us to defend and attack in a different way. We can defend higher. Macca brings what I want from a full-back in driving forward and I have two players doing that on both flanks.’’

Pools could opt for a different formation this evening. They prepared for this game two weeks ago before it was postponed due to the weather and Challinor hinted afterwards at a proposed change in outlook.

The same team has been fielded for the last three games, although Luke Molyneux could be replaced by Gavin Holohan this evening.