‘Spoke to his agent’: Manager says he’ll ‘have conversations’ on signing Newcastle player

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Hartlepool United boss Dave Challinor has confirmed to the Hartlepool Mail that talks have taken place with the agent of Newcastle defender Lewis Cass over another loan spell.

Challinor believes it would be ideal for Cass to return to Victoria Park after spending the 2020/21 season with Pools. A second season would allow the 21-year-old to continue developing in front of a crowd and learning from the pressure.

Cass made 34 appearances with Hartlepool while on loan from Newcastle in the National League last season. He helped Challinor’s side secure promotion into League Two via the play-offs, but missed the final with a hamstring injury.

Cass is now highly in-demand after returning to Newcastle, with the Hartlepool Mail noting interest from several League Two and Scottish Premiership clubs, as well as Hartlepool. But Challinor wants further talks with the Toon after speaking with the defender’s agent.

“With Cass, you’d think from his perspective and Newcastle’s perspective, coming back here would be an obvious fit,” Challinor said. “I spoke to his agent, and I think for Cass to play in front of our supporters in a full ground would have been a different test for him.

“Opposed to playing in front of an empty stadium, it brings different pressures. A full crowd in League Two ticks lots of boxes, so we’ll have conversations there.”

Cass returning to Hartlepool makes sense for Newcastle

Challinor is right to suggest Cass returning to Hartlepool would make sense for the defender and Newcastle. Especially as the Toon are eying new players. The centre-half developed strongly during his time at Pools on loan last term and would build on those performances.

Having established relationships with Hartlepool players would help him adapt to playing in League Two and in front of supporters. It takes one concern out of the picture for the Magpies when deciding what is best for his immediate future.

Cass also has an established place at Pools, so the Newcastle defender would not need to prove himself. Another advantage working for Challinor, who told the Hartlepool Mail in November: “Cass has been really solid and continues to improve with every game he plays.”