Hartlepool boss thinks James will bring a fear factor

The Hartlepool United boss was thrilled to bring the former Pools star back to Victoria Park on Monday.

James has not exactly set the world alight since leaving his first club for Peterborough United in August 2014 for a princely sum in excess of £500,000.

After one campaign at Posh, which netted just two goals, the striker was sent out to Bradford City on a season-long loan, a deal ended only after the last weekend.

“This is a great move for Hartlepool, without a doubt,” Moore told SportMail.

“Everyone knows what a player Luke is and the record he had here was fantastic.

“He’s a young lad who has lost his way a little.

“Luke’s still a terrific player, he just needs a bit of guidance and an arm around the shoulder.

“The great thing is he has a passion for this club.

“A couple of clubs higher than us wanted him, one in the top three.

“But it’s fantastic he wants to come here and fight and score goals to get us on the right road.”

While James may not have a goal to his name this season, Moore hopes it won’t be long before he changes that.

And the manager feels the 21-year-old has the attributes to hurt opposition defences.

“He’ll give us so many options,” said Moore. “A lad of his pace will give us an out-ball, one over the top to chase to put defenders under pressure.

“Luke can come deep to pick up balls and run at the opposition.

“You look at our division with its 6ft 3in and 6ft 4in centre-halves, the last thing they’ll want is Luke James running at them!”

James, who has been reacquainted with the number 33 jersey he adorned during his time at Pools, will come into the squad for Saturday’s visit to Notts County.

The Amble-born forward trained with his team-mates yesterday at Maiden Castle, having done a solo session with head physio Ian Gallagher on Monday.

While he has made only four starts this season - in four different competitions, League One, Capital One Cup, FA Trophy and FA Cup - he is not ring rusty.

He featured twice recently for Bradford City’s, including a start in the FA Cup third-round replay with Bury at Valley Parade.