HARTLEPOOL United have been busy in the transfer market signing ten players over the summer but haven't made a move for free agent David Wheater. 

The 34-year-old defender has been without a club since March and his contract at League Two Oldham Athletic was brought to an end early. 

Wheater has bags of Football League experience under his belt over the years making over 400 league appearances for Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers and Oldham. 

While it's understood Pools were monitoring the situation of the 34-year-old defender, the club were outpriced by the wage demands of the player putting to bed any potential prospects of a move happening. Talks between the manager and Wheater didn't take place. 

It's also understood that Darlington have been considering a move for Wheater but the defender remains out of contract for the time being. 

The player is a free agent and would be free to move to any club after the transfer window deadline. 

Over the summer, Dave Challinor has moved to bring in defenders Reagan Ogle and Neill Byrne along with tieing down Gary Liddle, Timi Odusina and Jamie Sterry to new contracts. 

While the club are looking for more players ahead of the closure of the transfer window in nine days time, there is no rush to get signings through the door and they will monitor targets over the coming week or so. 

Speaking to BBC Radio Tees Sport yesterday after their 2-0 win over Walsall, manager Dave Challinor said: "I'm not too sure about ahead of the next game.

"For us, 31st August is the day that is going to make the biggest difference. Whether things materialise in the coming days, I'm not too sure. 

"We're in a position where we are probably reliant on what other clubs do, in terms of other clubs bringing players in and then players potentially becoming available to come out so that's where we are. 

"It's day to day for us. I could quite easily go and get in the car and have a load of calls saying 'we've made a decision that he's available'. I imagine after the weekend, there will be meetings on Monday around people who haven't been in squads. 

"We're not in a massive rush. It's important that we get the right ones in and it is a waiting game but, not so much the next game, August 31st is the date for us."