Hartlepool boss praises Middlesbrough loan man on debut

The 21-year-old replaced Adam Bartlett following the 4-0 defeat at Mansfield Town.

And while the Boro U21 stopper was beaten three times by the high-flying Hatters, he emerged from the 3-0 defeat with credit.

His display was made even better by the fact Luton were 2-0 up inside 13 minutes through Danny Hylton and Luke Gambin before Fryer had enjoyed a proper touch of the ball.

Fryer made several good saves and came out for the ball when required.

“Ne needed to,” said Jones. “They’ve put balls in the box and Joe has dealt with them.

“He’s made some good saves.

“He got beaten to one cross when the lad headed wide but that was the only mistake I saw.

“It was his debut and he looked accomplished.”

He was one of two full debuts as Jones made four changes to the side beaten 4-0 at Mansfield.

Michael Woods and Rhys Oates were preferred to Louis Rooney and Padraig Amond as the boss went with a 4-5-1 formation with Andrew Nelson up top.The boss made one enforced change with 17-year-old Kenton Richardson coming in for the injured Liam Donnelly.

“He’s only 17 but he looked accomplished too,” said Jones. “What great experience that will have been for him.”