Defender Sam Lavelle extends loan at Hartlepool United by another month

After head coach Pete Wild told The Monkey's Uncle that Pools had been keen on extending the centre-half's deal following last month's agonising 4-3 defeat to unbeaten National League leaders Boreham Wood, the club have moved to keep him at Victoria Park until at least December.

The experienced centre-back has impressed since signing on an initial 28-day deal from League Two outfit Grimsby Town, establishing himself in a back three alongside Reiss McNally and Maxim Kouogun.

While Pools still have plenty of work to do defensively - indeed, Wild's side have conceded seven goals in their last two games - there is a sense that the back line is beginning to look far more solid and coherent.