GAVAN Holohan remains a Hartlepool United player following reported late interest for the midfielder on transfer deadline day.

It was understood that up to four clubs, including Dundee United and Shrewsbury Town along with National League duo Wrexham and Stockport County, were among the clubs interested in prising Holohan away from Victoria Park after a strong start to the season.

The 29-year-old has scored the match winning goal in two of Pools three wins this season.

The midfielder is now into his fourth season at the club but is into the final year of his contract. A six figure fee would have been required to initiate any negotiations with the player but it’s also understood that the player had no desire to leave.

Pools boss Dave Challinor told the media after last night’s penalty shootout defeat against Carlisle United in the Papa John’s Trophy that he wasn’t expecting any late night departures after his side drew 3-3 on the night. As it turned out, Holohan remained at the club. 

Speaking last night, Challinor said: “As far as I’m aware, there’s been no bid from anyone and I didn’t envisage there would be. They are always hard these deals with things happening so late.

“The thing with Gav’s position, we’re potentially out of control a little bit in the fact that if a National League want to bid for him, they don’t have a transfer window and that’s where we are at but I didn’t honestly think there would be offers coming in and until that happens with any player, you don’t have a decision to make. That’s where we are at and nothing will change on that front."

While the EFL transfer window drew to a close, Challinor conceded that if any moves were to happen for his players, they would have to come from the divisions below. 

The Pools boss added: “In terms of others going out, no not at the moment but from our perspective, if there are players within our squad that are going to go out then the likelihood is that they are going to go to a National League team.

"That option still is open. We’ll see what happens in the next couple of hours and if the things happen that we hope will happen then that might leave us opportunities to get a few out as well.”