Here are 10 former players new Hartlepool United manager Darren Sarll could look to reunite with this summer:
1. James Kellermann
With Tom Crawford and Callum Cooke both released, Nicky Featherstone signing a “transitional” player-coach deal, Kieran Wallace undergoing surgery and Anthony Mancini’s future still uncertain, Pools are in dire need of strengthening in midfield and James Kellermann seems to fit the profile of what Sarll might be looking for. Tall, powerful and athletic, the 29-year-old is set to leave Woking this summer, where he played under Sarll and achieved success. Kellermann featured 44 times as the Cardinals reached the National League play-offs and, although the following season was more challenging, with injuries limiting him to just 19 appearances, the former Aldershot and Chesterfield midfielder is expected to be in demand this summer. His relationship with Sarll could persuade him to follow his former boss to the North Eas
2. Rohan Ince
Woking has made Rohan Ince available for transfer, and the agile defensive-midfielder could be just what Pools need to address a lot of their issues. Another player on Sarll’s victorious Cardinals team, Ince scored eight goals in 47 games to help Woking make it to the National League playoffs. The 31-year-old has made nearly 100 games in the Championship, giving him a wealth of experience. Ince is precisely the kind of player Sarll will undoubtedly be trying to bring in as he looks to strengthen his squad for the upcoming campaign. The Montserrat international may be one of his top targets to occupy the position at the base of midfield because he is well over six feet tall and has a strong engine.
3. Will Jaaskelainen
This summer, Pools will require the addition of a custodian, and Sarll may consider Will Jaaskelainen, who he signed with Woking in February 2023. The renowned Finnish shot-stopper Jussi’s son, he impressed and signed a new contract in Surrey right away. Having gone out on loan six times during his career at Crewe, he has a nice age of 25 with plenty of time on his side and looks to have found his feet in the last couple of years. Despite the Cardinals’ offer of a new contract, he has fallen significantly out of favour at Kingfield Stadium. The appeal of playing for the first team and getting to meet his management again seems to
4. Billy Sass-Davies
Sarll has signed the Welsh defender on loan twice, for Yeovil and Woking, so clearly rates the 24-year-old. Has been loaned out a staggering 10 times by parent club Crewe, where he has played 50 times, and spent last season at Boreham Wood. He was made available for transfer by the Railwaymen last summer and so it seems as though his seven-year long association with Crewe could be set to come to an end, although the Alex are still to announce their released and retained list. On top of the fact that Sarll knows him well, the former Wales under-21 international has a lot to recommend him – a good footballer, athletic and with lots of experience at National League level. A move for Sass-Davies would provide cover at centre-half and allow Sarll to be flexible with his defensive shape if he so chooses.
