CHRIS Shuker's future is uncertain, but it is unlikely to be at Hartlepool United.

The tricky winger completed a three-month loan spell from Manchester City after Saturday's win at Colchester.

His final game was cut short by injury, after he took a kick early in the game and, after being told he has no future under Kevin Keegan at the City of Manchester Stadium, Shuker has to decide on his next career move.

Pool boss Neale Cooper will consider the possibility of signing Shuker on a permanent deal this week, but the ball is now in the player's court.

He said: "It's something I have to think about and I will do it in the next few days. I'll do what I think is right for this football club.

"At the moment I don't know what is going to happen - he has been here for three months and now he is going back. I've briefly spoken to him and his agent. If a player wants to come to us then we will try our upmost to keep him, but it is up to him and if he doesn't come then it's up to him."

Shuker admitted when he first arrived at Pool he was struggling to adapt to moving away from home. The 21-year-old has been training with City in the early part of the week before heading to the North-East and a hotel on a Wednesday or Thursday.

If he is to move to Pool, Cooper will expect him to relocate to the North-East and the decision now rests with the player.

Shuker has scored just once for Pool - in the 5-2 win at Port Vale in January - in 15 games since making his debut in the 4-1 defeat at QPR on December 13 and many feel his performances have tailed off in recent games.

He was substituted on Saturday and saw his replacement, Steven Istead, grab the winner.

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