MATTY DOLAN has returned to Hartlepool United on loan.

The central midfielder is back at his hometown club after finding first-team opportunities limited at Bradford this season.

He was at Pools last season when he made 24 appearances while he was a Middlesbrough player, but joined the Bantams permanently in January.

Dolan’s last start for City was in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Oldham on September 2 before he got injured. Since then he has been restricted to two substitute appearances.

His arrival means Paul Murray has made eight signings since being appointed boss. Dolan will play against Wycombe at Victoria Park tomorrow, but is cup-tied for next Friday’s FA Cup tie with Blyth Spartans after an 89th minute substitute outing in the last round when the Bantams won at Halifax.

Murray this week signed centre-half Matteo Lanzoni, the Italian moving on loan from Cambridge. Last week he got Joe Ironside in from Sheffield United and Adam Cambpell from Newcastle.

Speaking yesterday morning at his weekly press conference, Murray said: “I’m hoping to be busy – but I’ve had no ringbacks yet and I’ve been on the phone since seven this morning! I’m waiting for that call to say, yes it’s a goer.

“It’s proving difficult. I’ve had some players look at it and say they don’t really want to go to the bottom of the Football League – but I don’t want those, I want players who I phone, ask if they want to come and they say yes.

“That’s the sort I’m pursuing at the minute.’’

And with Pools at the foot of the table ahead of tomorrow’s visit of leaders Wycombe, Murray admitted: “It’s been so difficult to get players here – it really is and that’s not making up excuses. We are trying to get quality in and Mateo has been on my list a while. With Scotty Harrison going back to Sunderland it’s been a priority to get a centre-half in, and he’s the one I wanted. I’m happy with that.’’

Michael Duckworth is a big injury doubt for tomorrow after suffering a groin injury last weekend.