Hartlepool United will spend the 2021/22 season back in League Two after beating Torquay United in the playoff final to earn promotion back into the football league.
It is no secret that Hartlepool aren't a particularly rich club so free agents and loan players will likely be the direction that Dave Challinor and Raj Singh will go for to recruit for the upcoming campaign.
There are a lot of rumours concerning outgoings with a lot of players yet to agree terms - Luke Armstrong will not be returning on loan having signed for League Two rivals Harrogate Town.
With Ryan Johnson rejecting a contract and signing for Port Vale - Pools are light on numbers and here are five loan players that they could bring in for the upcoming season.
5) Lewis Cass
The Newcastle United defender was star man in the back three for Hartlepool United in their promotion winning campaign last season.
Cass earned himself a new deal with his club and they seem to be a big fan of him and his progression under Dave Challinor in the National League.
With Ryan Johnson moving on in the defence Pools are a few defenders light and why not bring back the man they need to replace?
Newcastle United will want him him to have another season of senior football and the 21-year-old will be playing at a higher level in this campaign.
4) Josh Hawkes
The attacking midfielder left Pools to sign for League One side Sunderland in 2020 and has solely featured for their Under 23 side.
Last season Hawkes scored 13 goals and got six assists in 20 games for the young Black Cats and it is this form that proves he is ready, again, for first team senior football.
Sunderland may not feel Hawkes is ready for League One and to earn them promotion so may want to loan Hawkes back to the club he made his start with and a local side so he would not need to relocate.
Pools fans know what Hawkes is capable of and could play in the midfield three quite comfortably, also adding some well needed depth.
3) Elias Sorensen
Soresen has had a difficult start to senior football, having been a very clinical forward in the Premier League 2 for the Newcastle Under 23s.
Scoring 12 goals in 17 games in 2018/19 Sorensen was on the cusp of the first team, but was loaned out to League Two Blackpool but it did not quite work out for him there.
He was loaned to Carlisle the next campaign but only played eight times and failing to score albeit with injury problems.
Last season was spent out on loan in the Dutch second division with Almere City were he netted five times and got four assists in 24 games.
Like with Hawkes a loan away to a local side might do the 21-year-old some real good and will add a well needed striking option for Challinor.
2) Peter Kioso
Kioso was a fan favourite during his one and a half year spell at Hartlepool United and his
great form earned him a move to Championship Luton Town in January 2020.
The defender has not cemented a place in the Hatters first team, spending time out on loan at Bolton Wanderers and Northampton Town in League Two and One, respectively, last season.
Pools need a defender and Kioso could be where they turn, going back to a place were he was loved will do a lot for his career.
But there is no reason why Luton won't give him a chance in the Championship given his quality and great form with loan clubs - maybe he is too good for League Two and Hartlepool United at this stage.
1) Stephen Walker
Another striker, Walker has spent time on loan last season at League One Crewe Alexandria from his parent club Middlesbrough.
He only played six times last season in League One and could drop down a level to League Two to get some real game time under his belt.
Pools need a striker and could turn to this 20-year-old to help them for the upcoming season.
Boro are a fan of their Under 23 forward and being on loan to Pools will benefit them by giving him some game time and hopefully some goal to his name.
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