RONNIE MOORE intends to replace experience with experience after releasing former Premier League players from his Hartlepool United squad.

While the club remain in discussions with ex-Middlesbrough defender Matthew Bates, Jonathan Franks and Neil Austin, the League Two survivors have decided to offload Marlon Harewood, Stuart Parnaby and Tommy Miller at the end of their contracts.

Moore has also informed winger Jack Compton, goalkeeper Jonny Maxted and defender Darren Holden as he plots a way of revamping a squad which narrowly avoided relegation out of the Football League.

But Hartlepool have exercised their option to extend the deals of a number of others. Defenders Michael Duckworth, Dan Jones, Josh Nearney, midfielders Michael Woods, Nicky Featherstone and Lewis Hawkins plus striker Scott Fenwick will all be staying at Victoria Park.

But the biggest casualties of the retained list were Harewood, Miller and Parnaby, despite the fact Harewood enjoyed a promising end to the campaign which saw him score a crucial goal in the relegation battle.

Now Moore is desperate to make the additions to ensure Hartlepool avoid a repeat of this season’s troubles at the foot of League Two.

He said: “We need players here who know the game, who are vocal. We need some experience and some lads who are winners.

“We need guys who guide us in the right direction. I don’t know where we will finish all I can say is we will have a go. You don’t have to have the best players but you can have the best team.”

Moore, who was not allowed to comment on his own contract situation despite a cry from Pools fans demanding he is rewarded with a fresh deal, has enjoyed the last few weeks since it became clear the battle to avoid the drop had been won.

He is, though, not prepared to switch off. He said: “I have been bought quite a few drinks in Hartlepool! That emotion was like winning the league. It has been a fantastic break.

“Now I will try to get some players in and that will be the big thing. We are working on it but it won’t be easy.”

Scott Harrison, Jordan Richards, Ebby Nelson-Addy and Brad Walker are all still under contract at Hartlepool for next season.