Walsall defender Gary Liddle joins Hartlepool on loan

The 33-year-old, who has played at centre-back, right-back and centre-midfield for the Saddlers this season, only joined the club in the summer after leaving Carlisle.

Liddle hasn't featured for Walsall since the FA Cup replay win over Darlington on November 20 and hasn't featured in the league since October 19 in the 2-1 loss to Cheltenham.

He played for Hartlepool between 2006 and 2012 and is returning to the National League side until January 29.

He will link up with Dave Challinor's side immediately.

Gary Liddle has clinched a dramatic return to Victoria Park after joining Pools on loan from Walsall until the end of January.

Now 33, Liddle made his senior debut in Pools colours back in August 2006 after Danny Wilson signed him from Middlesbrough and he played a key role as the Club won promotion from League Two in 2006/07.

He was crowned as joint Players’ Player of the Year alongside Michael Nelson during an impressive first season at The Vic, going on to play 284 times and move 20th in the Club’s list of all-time appearance-makers.

Comfortable in a number of positions across defence and midfield, Liddle went on to have successful spells with Notts County, Bradford City, Chesterfield and Carlisle United before joining Walsall in July.

He has made 16 appearances at The Banks’s Stadium so far this season under Saddlers boss and former Pools midfielder Darrell Clarke but has now been allowed to make a temporary switch back to The Vic.

The Teessider, who has in excess of 600 First Team games under his belt, will offer more options to new Pools boss Dave Challinor as he looks to strengthen his squad for the second half of the National League campaign.

“From our perspective, he’s someone who knows the Club, which is a big positive,” explained Challinor.

“He’s been involved here when it was a very successful time, he’s from the area and his experience is also going to be a massive asset.

“We are delighted to have brought Gary back to the Club and hopefully he can help us out and give us something extra at the back.”

Liddle will wear his old squad number 16 and will go straight in to contention for a second debut when Pools host Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.