Humphreys ends loan spell

Richie Humphreys has returned to Hartlepool following his loan spell at Port Vale.

The versatile midfielder had been in and out of the Pools side prior to the loan move, but featured in seven games for The Valiants.

Port Vale were hoping to extend Humphreys' deal for another two months, but Danny Wilson is glad to have him back at Victoria Park at the scheduled time.

"We always had in our minds that the move would only be for a month," Wilson told Hartlepool's official website.

"Ritchie needed games and he got that at Port Vale - now he comes back to us match fit and you can't ask for more."

Humphreys, who has made more than 250 appearances for Hartlepool, will now be pressing for inclusion in this weekend's game against Stockport.

"He's an important part of our squad and we want to see him challenging for his place back in the side," said Wilson.