Director of Sport Chris Turner completed another deal this morning by retaining the services of midfielder Gary Liddle.

The 22-year-old put pen to paper on a new deal with Pools - leaving Michael Nelson as the only player yet to confirm on his contract offer.

"I am delighted that Gary has decided to commit his future to Hartlepool United," Turner told hartlepoolunited.co.uk.

"I think it goes without saying that when Gary arrived from Middlesbrough three years ago he made a fantastic impression on everybody.

"He played in several positions and played well in them all and he played a major part in the promotion year, scoring some vital goals.

"Last season, like many other players in the squad he had a slightly disappointing season and he will be the first to admit that.

"But I know for a fact that when young players leave a so-called big club they have a rise in fortunes and then always follow that with a tough year just around the corner because they are still learning the game and a bit of that applies to Gary."

And while Liddle has operated in a number of positions for Pools, Turner insists he sees his main role in the team coming in midfield,

"He played full-back at the latter end of last season, not through his request or mine really, it was just a case of us not really having a player to play in that position but Gary got on with the job and made the best efforts to play well.

"I see Gary as a central midfield player and I can see him developing well over the next few months to have what I think will be a very good season.

"I think he did so well in his early time with the Club that I certainly felt he would be attracting attention from Championship clubs.

"Young players are up and down and you can get carried away with them or you can easily disappointed with them.

"But I think Gary has shown more than enough potential and I believe he has a great future in front of him."

And now Turner has challenged Liddle to show Pools more of the type of play he showed in the early part of his time at the Club,

"We will concentrate of a few aspects of his game over the next few months to ensure that next season he is back to his best and playing well.

"I think Gary has shown the potential to play at a higher level and that is the level he has to get back to next season.

"When you are looking at your squad and they are out of contract, you haven't just got to look at the last few months of the season to make a decision, you have to think twelve months ahead never mind twelve months back.

"You have to believe you can improve them as players and get them back to their best and that is the aim with Gary."