HARTLEPOOL United striker Mark Cullen is set to leave the club on loan after holding talks with the club over a loan departure.

Cullen has been in consultation with the club about finding regular game time. With National League clubs waiting in the wings, Pools are happy to sanction a move elsewhere if the player feels the move is right.

The 29-year-old has scored six goals in 27 appearances since signing as a free agent in the summer but his last goal came at the beginning of December in a 2-1 win over Rochdale at the Suit Direct Stadium. He was left out of the matchday squad for Saturday’s draw with Sutton United.

Cullen has seen his game time reduced in the last few weeks since the signing of Omar Bogle, who has started in the last six games. Marcus Carver also joined the club in January.

“There has been a bit of movement” manager Graeme Lee told BBC Radio Tees Sport.

“The situation is if some people gets disappointed at not being involved and they’ve got another opportunity where they want to go and play some football, I said to them I’ll never push anyone out because I want them involved in the squad.

“If it’s something where they feel as though they’d be happier somewhere else then we’ll sit down, have a discussion. There has been a few discussions gone on that and a bit of movement. Monday or Tuesday will probably tell us where we are.”

Midfielder Gavan Holohan could also be heading out on loan but it’s understood that no contact has been made with Pools regarding the 30-year-old’s availability.

The Irishman is another player who hasn’t featured regularly in recent weeks with last start coming in the clubs 1-1 draw with Stevenage.

Holohan has become a hugely popular figure in his time at the club featuring over 100 times since signing in 2019 and scoring 20 goals.