Pool continue transfer scramble, with keeper bid the latest

After the transfer flurry last week, which saw Oldham pair Danny Philliskirk and Mark Yeates sign permanent deals and Hayden White extend his loan spell, all has gone quiet at Bloomfield Road this week.

Despite having numerous targets, Pool have struggled to persuade players to join a club constantly surrounded by negative publicity.

But that won’t stop McDonald from trying. The Pool manager said: “It’s going to be busy for the whole of January.

“We want to strengthen the squad all over the park and we’ll be trying to do that all month.”

While their attempts continue to keep loan defender Will Aimson for the rest of the season, Pool are also in talks with Burton Albion over Dean Lyness. The keeper played seven games for Pool before the turn of the year, standing in for injured number one Colin Doyle, but returned to the Pirelli Stadium when his loan expired.

The Gazette understands Pool have tabled an offer to sign the 24-year-old on a permanent basis, with talks over personal terms taking place.

He’s one of many McDonald is trying to attract, while several look to be heading towards the exit door at Bloomfield Road.

Jose Cubero has been told he can leave and the midfielder continues to talk to clubs in his native Costa Rica.

A deal with Deportivo Saprissa is close but Cubero was still on the Fylde coast last weekend, when he attended Pool’s home defeat by Port Vale.

McDonald insists he won’t be letting anyone else go until he has replacements.

The Pool boss explained: “We will see who comes in before we look at who goes out.

“We’ll try to bring players in before we even think about letting anyone leave.”