Hartlepool United players 'playing for their futures' in remaining National League games ahead of 'uncertain summer'

Pools currently sit fourth in the table are all but confirmed to secure a play-off place come the end of the regular season on May 29.

But with several players out of contract in the summer, uncertainty regarding what division the club will be playing in as well as the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic, there is a lot that remains up in the air.

"Of course the players are playing for their futures because we’re going into uncertain times,” Challinor told The Mail.

“People, regardless of their contractual situations, you want to be putting yourself in the picture for next season. It could be an uncertain market during the summer when lots of players are out of contract.

"Club wages and squad sizes could be reduced because no one knows the impact of what the last 12 months will have on football clubs.

“For us, it’s almost double edged because there are potentially one of two divisions we could be playing in, potentially two different budgets, two different size of squads we run with so there’s lots of unanswered questions.

"From the player’s perspective, we’re coming into a time when these could be the biggest games of their careers so it’s a really exciting time and one to look forward to and embrace. It’s also one with a lot of meaning.”

Four Pools players have already been confirmed to be signed up for the 2021-22 campaign with ‘tentative discussions’ ongoing.

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