Ex-Manchester City ace set for Pools trial
VETERAN striker Jon Macken is set to join Hartlepool United on trial as Chris Turner looks to boost his options ahead of the League One campaign.
Reports over the weekend suggested the Pools director of sport was close to completing a deal for ex-Manchester City forward Macken, who
was released by Barnsley in the summer.
SportMail understands there is no imminent move in place, but talks have taken place to bring the 33-year-old to Pools on trial.
Macken scored five goals in 36 appearances for the Tykes last season before boss Mark Robins opted not to hand the Irishman a new deal at the end of the campaign.
The former Manchester United trainee would certainly add experience to the Pools frontline after a 13-year professional career, predominantly in the Championship, which has seen him represent Derby, Ipswich and Preston.
Pools' need for fresh faces, with the season opener at Rochdale less than a fortnight away, was highlighted in brutal fashion in Saturday's 5-0 home drubbing by Leeds United.
Back-up keeper Andy Rafferty remains the only new acquisition to a side which has finished in the division's bottom six for the last two seasons.
Turner hopes to make some progress this week with Hartlepool-born Evan Horwood set to be the first of the club's on-trial trio to complete their move to Victoria Park.
Fellow free agents Paul Murray and Fabian Yantorno have also held talks with Turner and are expected to follow Horwood in signing permanent contracts.
But Turner is keen to bring in more recruits, despite operating on a limited budget.
Turner said of his three trialists: "They have done some good things and some not so good things but they are trialists and they are looking for an opportunity.
"I will put my thoughts to the owners on Monday with what we should do
with each player and take it from there."
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Weather for Hartlepool
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
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