Willie Boland

By Charlie Summerbell
July 10 2009

Hartlepool United are giving midfield general Willie Boland more time to prove his fitness before they hold talks with him to discuss a possible new contract. Out for most of last season with a knee injury, Boland will get specialist treatment at the FA’s Lilleshall centre next week while the Pools squad is playing two pre-season games in Holland.

After that, Pools are expected to assess his fitness and then decide whether the experienced Irishman is worth a new contract.
His experience was missed last season and, fully-fit, he could be a vital member of the squad.
But fans hoping that big Norwegian striker Rune Lange (right) would be available next season to play alongside James Brown and the returning Adam Boyd have been disappointed.
Impressive in a handful of games for Pools, but out for weeks with a shoulder injury, he is not expected to be fit until August and Pools can’t afford to wait.
He is also having talks with two Belgian clubs and his return to the Vic looks extremely unlikely.
That leaves at least one gap in the squad, despite a lot of summer transfer activity by Chris Turner. But while the attack might look short on numbers, the most worrying place in the squad is at left-back, where Turner has had not success since last season ended.
Club captain Richie Humphreys did not have the best of times at left-back last season, and a proven No.3 is badly wanted.

Meanwhile, there could be a new lefts-sided midfield player on the way with Pools expected to complete the signing of Norweigian Jon-Andre Fredriksen from Sarpsborg.
Turner says he would replace Matty Robson in the squad, but many fans will be wondering why Pools need a replacement for a player who was rarely a first-choice and why we are still waiting for a left-back.
Meanwhile it’s been reported that Pools are interested in Australian international midfield player Kasey Wehrmann, who plays for Fredrikstad in Norway, where he has operated for eight seasons for three different clubs.
Haven’t we got enough central midfield players?

Meanwhile, there been yet another change of venue for Pools' second friendly in Holland against Cambuur next Wednesday. It will still start at 7pm, but now it's in Leeuwarden ... until they change it again.