HARTLEPOOL United defender Eddy Jones is set for crunch talks with his parents club Stoke City to decide whether to extend his loan spell at the Suit Direct Stadium.

Jones’ initial deal is due to expire in January having signed for Pools on transfer deadline day back in August. However, manager Graeme Lee has declared a desire to extend his stay at the club. 

A Wales Under 21 international, Jones has featured just six times this season with just three appearances in League Two and three in the Papa Johns Trophy.

The 20-year-old started for Lee’s side last night in their 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers and helped keep a clean sheet as Matty Daly’s 84th minute goal sealed a safe passage into the last eight of the competition.

Lee was happy with the contribution of Jones who was playing out of position to cope with a number of injuries in the squad. Although he is keen for Jones to stay, the manager admits the decision is out of his hands with talks due to take place with the Potters tomorrow.

The 43-year-old said: “Raegan Ogle has got a knee injury, Jamie Sterry has hurt his ribs and Luke Hendrie has got a bad calf so all three right-backs were out.

“Eddy Jones tried to do a job tonight and he done a fantastic job. I think apart from a ten minute spell into the second half, he a little wobble but apart from that he was fantastic.

“I’ve spoke to Stoke. I think it’s more in Stoke’s hands with the fact that he hasn’t played as many games as they probably would’ve liked in the last few months.

“We want to keep him on because of what he offers. I’ve said it before, it’s one of them with Eddy. He could get in the team and stay in the team. He showed what he could do today and that was on the right hand side.

“He’s going back to Stoke just to have some chats and some meetings, which were already planned, on Thursday and then I’ll speak to Stoke on Thursday.”

Meanwhile, striker Mark Cullen was absent for last night’s Papa Johns Trophy win over Bolton Wanderers due to a family emergency. However, Lee is hopeful of having him back in time to face his former side Blackpool in the FA Cup this weekend.

Lee added: “It’s still the same situation at the moment. He’s still nursing his wife at the moment. She’s improved so hopefully things are on a plus and he’ll be back in on Thursday. That’s the plan but I will speak to him again.”