HARTLEPOOL United suffer a third successive defeat in pre-season losing 2-1 to Blyth Spartans, with Dave Chalinor saying he's determined on the transfer front.

Pools have now three suffered defeats to National League North opposition against Blyth, Gateshead and Spennymoor Town. 

While the defeat was an improved performance at Croft Park, the Pools boss recognises how important the next few weeks of the transfer window are going to be for Pools. 

The window closes on Tuesday 31st August at 11pm for EFL clubs.

So far, Neill Byrne, Reagan Ogle, Martin Smith and Olufela Olomola have all been signed but Pools are still lacking squad depth heading into the season opening game against Crawley Town next Saturday. 

"It just reemphasises the work we need to do, definitely in terms of recruitment" Challinor told the club website.

"Things aren’t going to change quickly and what we’ve got to do is continue to work on the things we need to work on and be patient to make sure the bodies that we bring in are the right bodies to affect the squad we’ve got.

"We’re a week and a bit away from the start of the season. More importantly from our perspective, and this by any means isn’t an excuse, we’re five and a half, six weeks away from the transfer window closing for us.

"Unfortunately because of the way things have panned out, and we knew it would be difficult and we’ve got to make sure that the people we get in the building are going to be the right ones up until that point, because that’s got to see us through until January.

"Like I say, we’re working unbelievably hard away from the games as such, in terms of off the pitch and we’ll continue to do that to make sure we improve."

Pools have been using trialists as part of their friendlies for a number of weeks during their pre-season friendlies with Olufela Olomola being the only tralist to sign a contract with the club. 

Challinor told the media that some of his trialists have deals in place and some can't be confirmed as Pools players until severance packages can be fulfilled from previous EFL clubs. The club are expecting to make those announcements in August. 

Former Port Vale striker Mark Cullen is expected to sign for Pools having spent time on trial at the club.