Hartlepool United haven’t given up hope of securing an extension to Tyler Magloire’s loan deal, even if it doesn’t happen before tomorrow night’s game at Halifax Town.

The final match of Magloire’s initial deal ended following the weekend win over Wealdstone which moved Pools second in the National League table.

That was a 10th appearance for the 22-year-old central defender since his switch in November, though Rovers will consider the possibility of getting Magloire minutes in the EFL.

He had a spell at Rochdale in League One in the first half of last season, only for that to be cut short by injury, with his move to Hartlepool coming after the EFL had closed.

But with that option open to them, that could be a route they go look to go down, though the interest from Hartlepool on extending that is firm, with conversations having been held.

Boss Dave Challinor told the BBC: “We’ve had positive conversations with Blackburn and we’re waiting for them to come back.

“We’re on a tight schedule in terms of whether that happens for Tuesday night.

“Things work differently at Blackburn with things having to be passed to their owners in India but I know they’ve had a meeting so we’re hopeful of doing something.

“If that’s not the case then we need to make a change for Tuesday but it’s not one that we’ve given up hope on or dismissing.

“We’re hopeful something will get done, if that’s in time for Tuesday then great, if not then the opportunity arises for someone else.”

Magloire impressed in a pre-season friendly against Leicester, but has made just two senior appearance for Rovers, back in March 2019, and has seen his development disrupted by injury.

He is one of a clutch of central defenders below the first-team picture, with another, Hayden Carter, having made the switch to League One side Burton Albion last week.

The 21-year-old enjoyed a dream debut, scoring the winning goal as the Brewers enjoyed just a third win, and first clean sheet, as they beat Gillingham 1-0.

Joe Grayson, captain of the Under-23s side and himself coming out of the back of a tough time with injuries, was the defensive cover on the bench for the first-team in the FA Cup tie with Doncaster after Carter was allowed out on loan.

The senior experience for 21-year-old Grayson is eight appearances for Grimsby Town in League Two in 2019 and two EFL Cup appearances for Rovers against Lincoln City in 2018 and Oldham Athletic 12 months later.

Rovers could look to take up interest in him this month, while Gibraltar international Louie Annesley has also been training with the first-team of late given their defensive issues.

A more experienced defensive option, Charlie Mulgrew, is expected to see out his loan spell at League One side Fleetwood Town, despite the departure of manager Joey Barton earlier this month.

Mulgrew, who cut short his loan spell with Wigan Athletic last season to return to Rovers, has started the last 14 consecutive matches for the League One side, though they haven’t played since Boxing Day following a series of postponements.

The 34-year-old, who played just once for Rovers in the second half of last season, is out of contract in the summer.