Hartlepool United boss backs new loan signing to make a big impact at Pools ahead of Solihull Moors clash

The 23-year-old, who joined on loan from League Two Accrington Stanley until the end of the season earlier last week, marked his debut with a goal during the agonising 3-2 defeat at the hands of title-chasing York City. Having met up with the Pools squad mere hours before the game - indeed, Caton admitted afterwards that he was still learning many of his new teammates' names - the attacker wasted little time in announcing himself to fans, firing home a 97th minute equaliser at the York Community Stadium.

In the end, Caton's late leveller wasn't quite enough for Pools to secure what would have been a valuable and well-deserved point as a 103rd minute penalty from Josh Stones condemned the visitors to their sixth defeat in 11 games in the cruelest of fashions. Even so, there was plenty for Pools fans to take heart from following a spirited, battling and determined showing in North Yorkshire.

Indeed, Caton's cameo from the bench was a real bright spot for Pools, with the young forward impressing with a series of purposeful forward runs after replacing Alex Reid with 18 minutes of normal time remaining.

Caton became the fourth new signing - a quarter of an hour after his arrival was announced, Pools confirmed a deal for teenage Hull City defender Calvin Okike, who joined on a one-month work experience loan - since American businessman and investor Landon Smith completed his takeover of the club on New Year's Eve. Interestingly, he is one of the first to have been identified by the club's new data-led approach to recruitment inspired by the models used by the likes of Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and Premier League side Brighton. Having been heavily criticised for much of their recruitment in recent years, especially since relegation back to the National League in 2023, Pools are now hoping that a new approach will increase their chances of more sustained success.

The energetic forward, who can operate anywhere across the front line, came through the ranks at Shrewsbury before making his name with National League North side Chester, scoring 26 goals in 79 games. After finishing the 2024/25 campaign as Chester's leading scorer with 14 goals, Caton secured a move to the Football League with Accrington Stanley, where he has found the net four times in 40 appearances.

Certainly, fans - and, indeed, Featherstone himself - will be hoping that Caton can play a big part over the coming weeks as Pools look to propel themselves into the National League play-off places.

"We've been short in that department because of injuries and availability in the squad," Featherstone told BBC Radio Tees Sport.

"Like I said after the York game, he (Caton) is a Hartlepool United player in terms of how he plays - he's aggressive, he's front-footed, he makes good runs and he wants to score goals. I think the fans will relate to that, we all know what this fanbase expects and what they demand as a bare minimum.

"Charlie will do that and then he's got the quality and the goals that he'll bring as well. It was important for him to get off the mark like he did, he took the goal really well on his weaker foot. That's what we've brought him in to do, to hopefully add more attacking threats and more options."

Your next Hartlepool United read: Hartlepool United defender in determined mood ahead of Solihull Moors clash