Head coach Pete Wild hails new Hartlepool United signing Sam Lavelle as 'a proper centre-half'

The experienced defender became Wild's third new recruit since his appointment at the beginning of the month, joining on an initial 28-day loan deal from League Two side Grimsby Town.

Having inherited a squad assembled by his predecessor Lee Clark, who resigned in September after losing six of his nine matches at the helm, in combination with de facto director of football Chris Maxwell and head of recruitment Chris Beech, Wild has been eager to make his mark on Pools since taking charge.