Hartlepool United: More signings and goals to come

Craig Hignett made it two signings in two days at Hartlepool United and declared there was more to come '“ and more goals.
Jake Orrell in action for Cesterfield. Picture by James WilliamsonJake Orrell in action for Cesterfield. Picture by James Williamson
Jake Orrell in action for Cesterfield. Picture by James Williamson

Hignett brought in teenage striker Jake Orrell from Chesterfield on a free transfer yesterday, following hot on the heels of attacking midfielder Nicky Deverdics on Monday.

The Pools boss told SportMail yesterday that Pools need goals given the side’s reliance on Billy Paynter, who was way out in front in the charts last season, with 15.

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“I’m delighted with the business we have done so far this week,” Hignett said.

“We have had meeting after meeting with agents and players and you are seeing those coming to fruition now.

“I’m hoping we’ll have another signing before the end of this week or early next.

“We needed goals and that is being addressed, the players we are signing will increase our goal threat 20-fold.

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“I’m quite excited – the lads we are signing and looking to bring in are all capable of double figures.”

Deverdics will challenge for a League Two spot while Orrell will prove a “dark horse” according to his manager, who says he and first-team coach Curtis Fleming are looking forward to developing.

Orrell, just shy of his 19th birthday, looks on paper another player who will be for the future, following on from the arrival of fellow youngsters Ben Dudzinski, James Martin and Ben Pollock.

However, Hignett suspects the Sunderland-born striker may just be a contender.

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“Jake is certainly one for the future and that’s why we’ve brought him in,” he told SportMail.

“But I think he will push on quite quickly, I do believe he will be a dark horse.

“He has a lot of potential and a lot of ability and me and Flem are looking forward to working with him.

“Jake plays up front and can play wide right and wide left as well.”

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Hignett hopes he has pulled off a great bit of transfer business.

Orrell had featured for Chesterfield at the back end of last season, with former Pools boss Danny Wilson giving him two appearances from the bench in League One.

But the 18-year-old, who learned his football at the Sunderland Academy before being released last summer, was keen on a switch to the Vic, where younger brother, Luke, is in the Youth team.

“He did well at Chesterfield and played six times,” said the boss.

“We were alerted that he wanted a club closer to home so we moved quickly.

“He’s a good, intelligent, bright forward-thinking player.”