DANNY Wilson has admitted his determination to keep his squad intact next month when the transfer window opens.

While he has Andy Monkhouse and Darryl Duffy on loan, the pair are due to return to their parent clubs after the game at Mansfield on Monday.

The Hartlepool United boss has been delighted with their impact and there's every chance he will look to extend their stays.

It would cost around £80,000 to turn Duffy's move from Hull into a permanent deal, but personal terms could be a stumbling block.

The chances of landing Monkhouse look brighter, with the Leeds-based winger happy to be in the North-East, rather than travelling to Swindon.

Micky Nelson and Dimi Konstantopoulos continue to attract admirers from higher divisions and, with Pools going almost ten hours without conceding a goal, their stock is high.

Jon Daly scored his ninth goal of the season in the Boxing Day win over Grimsby Town, but is suspended for tomorrow's visit of Peterborough after collecting his fifth booking of the season in the win at Bury last weekend.

"Jon has needed a goal, he's waited a while for it,'' admitted Wilson. "He came back into the side last week at Bury late on and did very well for us.

"He's a team player, and he has an important role within the squad. I like him - I think he's a cracking lad.

"But he's had to be patient, like everybody else. He has had to bide his time and wait for his chance. We have a good squad of players who are very much together and Jon is part of that.

"What happens in January, with the transfer window, I don't know.

"But as far as I am concerned I want to keep this squad together.''

Pools had a thrilling victory at London Road earlier in the season, winning 5-3 after racing to a four-goal lead with 50 minutes on the clock.

The Posh are three points behind fifth-placed Pools after a three-game losing streak and Wilson admitted: "Peterborough will be a tough game for us, that's for sure. They have had a little bit of a blip, with a couple of defeats.

"It will be a different sort of game to Grimsby because they play a different type of game. Grimsby try to get the ball down and pass it. With respect to Peterborough they play a different game.

"But I'm sure they will come here, show us respect, and try to frustrate us.

"We have to be patient and the first goal proved on Boxing Day to be very important to us.''