KEITH CURLE has been scouring the free-agent market as he looks to strengthen his Hartlepool United squad, and claims the club are close to completing an addition.

Pools return to League Two action tomorrow evening when they head to Crewe Alexandra, with Saturday’s home draw with Sutton United having left them two points clear of the relegation zone, albeit with the club directly below them, Gillingham, having two games in hand.

Having inherited a squad that had been struggling badly under his predecessor, Paul Hartley, Curle oversaw the signing of 11 new players during the January window.

However, he also missed out on a couple of key targets before the window swung shut, most notably in attack, hence his desire to explore every possible avenue as he attempts to keep Pools in Football League.

Curle was casting his eye over a potential addition in training last week, and is also understood to have held discussions with at least two other non-contracted players.

“I’ve spoken to a player’s agent, and there’s interest from the player,” revealed the Pools boss. “Now, it’s down to the football club to find out if we can make the finances meet from both parties – what he requires as a wage and incentives, and what we’re prepared to offer.

“I advised the football club in my mind where I value the player. Just because the window is shut, there’s still players who are out there and available and can add to our squad.”

Saturday’s draw saw Pools claw back a two-goal deficit to claim a point after Sutton were reduced to ten men, but means Curle’s side have now won just two of their last eight league matches.

Tomorrow’s opponents, Crewe, are in even worse form, having won just one win of their last ten league games, and if Pools were to win at Gresty Road, they would climb to within three points of the Railwaymen.

“We have to know what we are at the minute, and keep producing the type of performance we produced in the second half at the weekend (when they drew 2-2 at Crawley),” said Crewe boss Lee Bell.

“I think everybody will allow the players some slack if they show commitment and run around. However, the players were on their last legs, so we have to get them recovered as quickly as we can for Tuesday.”