Hartlepool United have officially announced that Chris Westwood will be leaving the club when his contract expires on the 30th June.

This means that the rumours about him wanting a move nearer to his roots in the West Midlands were, indeed, true. Walsall have been continually linked with the 28 year old centre back since those rumours started some time ago and the club’s interest was confirmed by Chairman Jeff Bonser last week, but Nottingham Forest, Stockport County, Rotherham United and Luton Town have also been reported as being interested. Any of those could be considered to be within commuting distance of Westwood’s home town, Dudley.

Developments can be expected quicky now Hartlepool have made the announcement, although it is difficult to see how Merson’s supposed interest in both Westwood and Staunton fits together.