Fleetwood season kicks off at Carlisle tonight as Hartlepool target Town defender

Ex-AFC Fylde boss Dave Challinor, now in charge at Hartlepool United in the National League, is making no secret of his desire to take Fleetwood right-back Macauley Southam-Hales back to the Victoria Ground.

The 24-year-old Welshman, who made his only two starts for Town in last season’s EFL Trophy, was a hit at Hartlepool this year, playing in seven National League games after a January loan move.

He joined Fleetwood from Barry Town in January last year and has made five appearances in all, coming off the bench for the final moments of the League One play-off semi-final at Wycombe Wanderers in July.

Challinor told the Hartlepool Mail: “It’s common knowledge that we’ve kept in contact with Fleetwood regarding Macca. We’d love to get him back and the club and hopefully something will happen before the start of the season.

“But we always knew we’d have to be patient and if it doesn’t come off we’ll look elsewhere, but I want to let it run its course.”

And Challinor won’t be deterred by a knee injury to the player, adding: “It’s just a little niggle. From Fleetwood’s perspective, they’re not in a huge rush. Their season starts before ours and they’ve got to get their own squad tied down. We’d love something to happen but there’s nothing in place yet.”

Tonight’s Brunton Park fixture kicks off northern group G of the EFL Trophy, which also features Sunderland and Aston Villa Under-21s, who play next Tuesday.

League Two Carlisle visited Poolfoot Farm three weeks ago, when Town won 4-2 in the first of five pre-season friendlies.

Tonight’s match is behind closed doors but Town supporters can watch the action on a live stream with a ‘match pass’ ordered from the club website, priced £10.