HARTLEPOOL United have been locked in talks with potential targets all day as the club look to bolster numbers in the squad amid a flurry of exits.

Pools manager Graeme Lee and the club’s recruitment staff have a budget to spend this month and are currently locked in talks with a number of players. The Pools boss says that talks are ongoing to bring in a new goalkeeper following the departure of Jonathan Mitchell while there is a particular focus on attacking players as they struggle for form in front of goal. They’ve failed to find the back of the net in their last three League Two outings.

Pools have made use of younger players from Championship sides in the summer and there is also an expectation that Lee will make use of his former employers Middlesbrough. The former Under-23’s coach has made contact with the club over potential signings. It’s understood that wingers Toyosi Olusanya and Jeremy Sivi are not players that are not being made available to Pools with Olusanya set for a spell on the sidelines through injury.

The club remain hopeful of bringing in a number of players before the end for this month’s window which closes on 31st January at 11pm.

Speaking after last night's 0-0 draw with Carlisle United, the Pools boss said: “We want to bring in more attacking players.

“We’ve created chances and got in areas. We just need to finish them off. If we can add a little bit more quality in them areas then brilliant.

“We’ve got more discussions tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll have some answers tomorrow."

So far, Lee and his recruitment staff have made just two additions in the January transfer window with the permanent signing of striker Marcus Carver from National League North side Southport and the loan signing of defender Jake Hull who has joined the club from Rotherham United until the end of the season.

In this week alone, the club have had to deal with four departures. Midfielder and top scorer Matty Daly left after being recalled by parent club Huddersfield Town only to be sent back out on loan to fellow League Two side Bradford City.

Mitchell, Mike Fondop, and Jake Lawlor have all left the club after their contracts either came to an end or were mutually terminated.

Earlier this month, Stoke City duo Will Goodwin and Eddy Jones returned to their parent club following the expiration of their loan deals while winger Tyler Burey also made a return to Millwall.